Norfolk-based practice Parsons + Whittley Architects has won the residential category of the first ever UK Passivhaus Awards for a scheme which was insulated with STYROFOAM™ insulation.

The UK Passivhaus Awards were launched by the Passivhaus Trust to celebrate the achievements of Passivhaus pioneers in the UK, to highlight that Passivhaus can apply to any building type and to show that Passivhaus design can create beautiful buildings.

Parsons + Whittley won the much sought after award for the Wimbish Passivhaus project, a scheme of 14 dwellings designed for Hastoe Housing Association which delivers really low fuel bills and has minimal carbon emissions.

Passivhaus buildings are designed and constructed to principles developed in Germany and Austria. Relying on high levels of insulation and a design which makes the most of solar energy, they can reduce heating requirements by up to 90% compared to average UK homes by reducing energy use rather than relying on energy from renewable sources.

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The buildings were insulated below the concrete floor slabs with FLOORMATE 300-A STYROFOAM insulation from Dow Building Solutions. Manufactured in nearby King's Lynn, the material is highly durable with excellent moisture-resistance and compressive strength, enabling it to perform outside the waterproofing envelope.

"The three bed houses at Wimbish have annual fuel bills of less than £150," said Chris Parsons, Managing Director of Parsons + Whittley. "I think we were successful because the scheme demonstrated that the methodology could be delivered in the mainstream housing environment at a reasonable cost.

"The energy use of the houses has been monitored through the University of East Anglia for 12 months and results are showing really low fuel bills with very high comfort levels.”

"Parsons + Whittley Architects are really proud to be the recipients of the first ever UK Passivhaus award for residential buildings and it confirms our position as a leading innovator in the development of a low energy, low carbon future for the UK housing stock."

Parson's & Whittley's next Passivhaus scheme at Ditchingham in Norfolk - again for Hastoe - is due for completion this summer. It too has been designed to address issues of fuel poverty and carbon reduction for tenants.

To find out more about the Wimbish Passivhaus development visit www.wimbishpassivhaus.com. For details on stockists of FLOORMATE 300-A and other insulation products, contact Dow Building Solutions by email on [email protected] and one of the account managers will be in touch, or visit www.styrofoam.co.uk.