Designing for the Future: Technical Excellence Meets Sustainability

Following on from the form and orientation studies undertaken at the planning stage, at the heart of the technical design lies a fabric-first approach, where the building’s efficiency starts with the elements it is constructed of. Using high-performance materials for insulation and carefully designed timber frame systems, we’re targeting ultra-low U-values (as low as 0.10W/m²K) and excellent air tightness, ensuring exceptional thermal performance and minimal heat loss.

Through the use of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and DesignPH 3D modelling to simulate real-world conditions, shading, and performance, we can fine-tune construction details, ventilation, and fabric specification for optimal energy efficiency.

M&E systems are designed with sustainability at the core:

• Individual Air Source Heat Pump cylinders for low-carbon hot water.
• Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units with 88% efficiency.
• High-efficiency LED lighting, plus external lighting designed to protect biodiversity.
• All while targeting airtightness at ≤ 0.6 ach@50Pa, in line with Passive House criteria.

What does this mean for the project?

• Reduced operational carbon
• Healthier, more comfortable living environments
• Lower energy bills for residents
• A development aligned with net-zero aspirations

Technical decisions made early in design create long-term benefits.
If you’re working on a project where sustainability matters and you’re looking to integrate Passive House thinking, energy modelling, or fabric-first strategies, we’d love to connect.

Have you explored Passive House design in your own work? Let’s share ideas and move the industry forward.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss how this approach could benefit your project.
Contact us on 0123 552 3139

Visuals: RCC Visuals