Two affordable and homeless housing projects in Wales from Beattie Passive have won industry awards for social value delivered and building performance
Two affordable and homeless housing projects in Wales delivered by Beattie Passive to Passivhaus standard have been recognised with awards for building performance and social value delivered.
Beattie Passive was the first company in the UK to be certified for a complete build system by the Passivhaus Institut in Germany.
An affordable housing scheme in Llangan was praised for social value
The Norwich-based firm was recognised at the recent Inside Housing Development Awards for the affordable social housing scheme it delivered in Llangan, Wales, with Flying Factory partner, Canna Developments, for Newydd Housing Association.
Named Cwrt Canna, the judging panel were impressed by the social value inherent in the development, which included a prisoner rehabilitation scheme, training and apprenticeships.
As fuel costs soar and climate concerns intensify, many social housing providers are embracing Passivhaus as a preventative measure to stop their tenants falling into fuel poverty, while at the same time ensuring they meet their environmental obligations.
Built by Newydd Housing Association in partnership with The Vale of Glamorgan Council, the 13 ultra-low energy, low carbon homes at Cwrt Canna have all been constructed to Passivhaus standard, which can reduce heating bills by up to 90% (with an attendant decrease in carbon emissions).
A volumetric modular housing solution to homelessness in Cardiff
In mid-September, Beattie Passive was named ‘Building Performance Pioneer of the Year’ at the 2022 Offsite Awards for its work with Cardiff Council to provide 48 ‘Passivhaus Plus’ certified properties for homeless families in the city.
The volumetric modular homes were all built at Beattie Passive’s offsite factory, near Norwich City’s stadium at Carrow Road, before being transported to site and craned into position.
With this scheme, Cardiff Council is providing a high standard of accommodation that will, in turn, result in a higher quality of life with better outcomes.
The site is named HAFAN, a Welsh translation of ‘haven’, because it provides accommodation for families that have experienced homelessness in Cardiff. The homes are now occupied and the Council is providing full wraparound support services for residents.
The Net Zero-rated development has been built to the ‘Passivhaus Plus’ standard, which, by definition, must not only dramatically reduce energy consumption, but also generate enough renewable energy to power the buildings throughout the entire year.
Pushing the boundaries of social value and sustainability with the affordable and homeless housing projects in Wales
Commenting on the award wins, Nathan Beattie, commercial operations at Beattie Passive, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised for our work with Cardiff Council and Newydd Housing Association. These schemes pushed the boundaries in terms of sustainability and social value. It was a privilege to be involved and we’re extremely proud.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who worked with us to deliver these pioneering Passivhaus projects – it was a real team effort. And extra special thanks to our forward-thinking clients who have embraced the Passivhaus standard and are passing the benefits on to their residents.”
