Gascoigne neighbourhood Passivhaus homes 

Our collaboration with Be First - Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration arm - has resulted in the borough's greenest housing block, with eight new homes certified to the Passivhaus Classic standard to give its residents super-low energy bills.

Called Palomar Court and constructed using an offsite light gauge steel frame system, this is an important pilot by Barking and Dagenham Council into using off-site construction on Passivhaus projects.

Being Passivhaus means that the building must comply with the clear, measurable targets set out by the Passivhaus Trust. By using a ‘fabric first’ approach the homes are airtight, are energy efficient, and have much higher level of thermal comfort than most homes delivered to building regulations or other credentials.

Triple glazed windows, improved ventilation, and high levels of insulation, provide protection from noise pollution and prevent damp and mould developing while maintaining a steady, comfortable, warm indoor temperature.

Key stats

Our in-house design experts Collida were commissioned to ensure the homes were designed and built in-line with the key principals of Passivhaus, which include:

• High quality insulation in the walls, floor and roof
• Passivhaus quality windows and doors
• Minimised thermal bridges
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery
• High levels of airtightness.

With an air change rate of 0.4 ACH@50Pa, they exceed building regulations by 25 times (10m3/hr/m2 @50 Pa) and even exceed the Passivhaus standards maximum (0.6 ACH @50Pa)

Also, thanks to high quality insulation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, the buildings are healthier, with humidity and temperature levels remaining near constant at all times of the day, meaning no risk of condensation, no mould and with filters on the ventilation, no health problems from pollution. The washing can even be hung up inside in winter, it will even dry quicker and won’t create condensation!

Important learning for future Passivhaus homes

This pilot project investigated how offsite might be used on future phases. With resource shortages and rising costs, the relative cost of offsite construction is falling, especially when efficient design for manufacture and assembly is enabled by early collaboration.

The team deployed several means to reduce embodied carbon. These included early waste reduction workshops; the reuse of demolition waste in the new development; suppliers operating a closed-loop system where waste goes back to the factory; early grid connections to avoid the use of generators and diesel to power site offices; plus using hydrotreated vegetable oil rather than diesel to power onsite equipment. The use of offsite elements also helped the reduction of waste and further reduces embodied carbon.

A vision for greener housing

Homes across the whole of the redeveloped Gascoigne Neighbourhood (above) are connected to a district heating system and have been designed with energy efficiency in mind, ultimately providing a 40% CO2 emissions reduction against building regulations. On top of this, all phases of the Gascoigne Neighbourhood are adopting an active travel development strategy, meaning pedestrians and cyclists are prioritised which promotes sustainable travel and enhances a sense of community.

The completion of the latest, greenest block in the Gascoigne Neighbourhood is the latest step in one of London’s largest regeneration projects that has focused on placemaking, affordability, and community impact. Over 1,400 of the 2,000 homes that will be delivered across the scheme have now been completed, with four of the Passivhaus homes set to be marketed at London Affordable Rent, and the remaining four homes will be rented at the cheaper Affordable Rent levels.

What people are saying:

Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said:

“The cost of people heating their homes is a serious cause for concern to so many households across the country in recent times. Delivering these low carbon, affordable, and energy efficient homes will help reduce our residents’ energy bills in a neighbourhood that fosters a sense of community and social wellbeing. We’re delighted to bring these homes to the market and look forward to delivering the further phases of our Gascoigne neighbourhood, which will deliver 2,000 homes in total.”

Tim Porter, Director of Delivery at Be First, said:

“These homes are exactly the types of property we aim to deliver in Barking and Dagenham – high-quality, sustainable, and affordable. The Gascoigne Neighbourhood creates a rich mix of safe, warm, and affordable housing, as well as open and green spaces. Once complete, it will be one of the greenest, most affordable neighbourhoods in London.”

Steve Kitchen, Director at Willmott Dixon, said:

“We’re delighted to complete these high-quality low carbon, affordable homes for the Gascoigne neighbourhood. We’ve been working with Be First over the last five years on the wider East side of the Neighbourhood and delivering these incredibly sustainable and energy efficient homes helps us leave a positive legacy for the residents of Barking and Dagenham. We know it’s about more than just bricks and mortar; it’s about building a better future – and the Gascoigne neighbourhood definitely does this.”