With its emphasis on achieving fabric efficiency, the Passivhaus standard has been considered a suitable fit for Local Authorities re-engaging in housebuilding programs, as it can assist councils’ net zero ambitions while offering financial and health benefits for residents. Despite these synergies, however, uptake of the standard has not been widespread, with only a small number of authorities completing Passivhaus developments to date. This study sought to understand how councils can embed the Passivhaus standard within new development, by firstly identifying the main barriers inhibiting the standard’s widespread usage, before exploring the extent to which these obstacles were overcome by a sample of authorities that have delivered Passivhaus schemes. The first aim was addressed through a short questionnaire, while the second was achieved through three case studies based on semi-structured interviews with senior managers within their respective authorities’ housing development teams. While the questionnaire responses identified cost as a significant barrier, two of the case studies demonstrated that not only can councils successfully deliver one-off trial projects, but that Passivhaus can be effectively embedded within their wider housing delivery programs. The research found that strong political commitment based on improved outcomes for tenants and the ongoing development of knowledge capacity were essential to these authorities’ longerterm successes, as experience gained from initial projects enabled these councils to upscale their delivery programs. The third authority, however, operated a model based entirely around market sales and relied upon its Joint Venture partner for expertise, meaning it has so far lacked the political drive or built internal knowledge capacity to pursue further Passivhaus schemes beyond its successful initial endeavour. Above all, the study demonstrates the importance of strong motives when considering Passivhaus, and recommends that interested councils develop their internal knowledge capacity to effectively embed the standard into their delivery programs.
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Sorrell, Joseph
Rights Holders: Sorrell, Joseph Supervisors: Valler, David
School of the Built Environment
MSc Spatial Planning
2023
© Sorrell, Joseph Published by Oxford Brookes UniversityAll rights reserved