Barratt London has announced a new housing concept, Lo-E Homes, which aims to deliver climate-resilient, ultra-sustainable homes across the capital that exceed Passivhaus standards.

The developer will initially submit plans for 728 Lo-E Homes across two major developments at High Barnet and Bollo Lane, in partnership with Places for London, in what is believed to be one of the UK’s largest rollouts of certified Passivhaus homes to date.

The initiative comes as London faces rising summer temperatures, with the capital hitting a record 40.2°C in July 2022 – a level expected to become increasingly common. Designed in collaboration with sustainability specialists Beyond Carbon, the Lo-E Homes concept offers a scalable model for high-density, low-energy housing that goes beyond current building regulations.

Craig Carson, Managing Director at Barratt West London, said: "Our Lo-E Homes concept is an opportunity to think differently and deliver a new approach to high-density, sustainable housing in London. This is a significant milestone for the business, as we look to the future and consider the unique challenges faced in the capital, such as more heatwave conditions every few years. Feedback from local councils and the GLA has been supportive, so we look forward to securing planning approval and moving ahead with our first homes, before rolling out on all future London schemes, subject to relevant approvals.

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"I am particularly pleased that we are planning to unveil the first Lo-E Homes across two significant partnership sites – High Barnet and Bollo Lane, as part of the West London Partnership we have with Places for London. Partnership working is vital in addressing London’s acute housing crisis, and through collaboration and a shared vision, we can achieve greater outcomes for our residents and the surrounding communities."

Lo-E Homes will feature carefully engineered façades to manage solar gain, triple-glazed Passivhaus windows for superior thermal comfort, and climate-resilient air tempering systems to improve indoor air quality. The design promises significant energy savings for residents—up to 75% less energy needed for heating and a 90% reduction in carbon emissions—making them resilient to future energy price shocks.

The High Barnet site, located next to the Tube station, will deliver around 300 homes, 40% of which will be affordable, along with small-scale commercial spaces. Meanwhile, the Bollo Lane development in Acton will see 455 Passivhaus-certified homes built in its second phase, forming part of a wider 900-home community complete with green spaces, improved cycling and pedestrian routes, and new commercial units.

The West London Partnership – a £1.9 billion collaboration between Barratt London and Places for London – aims to deliver over 4,000 new homes in the capital over the next decade. The Lo-E Homes initiative places sustainability, comfort, and resilience at the heart of its strategy, setting a new benchmark for future urban housing.