Cullinan Studio and Etude appointed by Sixty Bricks to develop the detailed design of three Net Zero Carbon developments in Waltham Forest.

Architects, Cullinan Studio and sustainability engineers, Etude, have been appointed to drive and coordinate three Passivhaus and Net Zero Carbon in operation projects for Sixty Bricks – a property development company wholly owned by the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The design team is minimising operational energy and embodied carbon to deliver truly affordable homes whilst also considering capital and whole life costing for both developer and occupant.

Sixty Bricks, Cullinan Studio and Etude share a common goal of aiming to be the ‘best in the class’ and urgently addressing both the climate crisis and the housing crisis with truly affordable, low-energy homes. Cullinan Studio has been at the forefront of sustainable design for over 50 years, and with three Certified Passivhaus Designers now on its team, these will be the practice’s first projects to target the Passivhaus building standard – one of the most rigorous energy-based standards in the design and construction industry today. Cullinan Studio is working closely with sustainability engineers and Passivhaus Certifiers, Etude, who have an established portfolio of Passivhaus projects.

In addition to meeting the energy standards required by the brief, Passivhaus will provide several benefits to the occupants, including a comfortable internal environment with clean internal fresh air that will be hugely beneficial for children and asthma sufferers. With significantly reduced energy costs, these homes will be resilient to increases in energy pricing, providing long-term assurance of affordability, whilst the installation of simple, durable systems means they are simple to run and maintain. High quality, efficient buildings have a higher market value, and their resale price will be more robust as the demand for sustainable homes increases.

Studies of Passivhaus buildings have shown that as energy bills are made truly affordable, there are fewer tenants with rent arrears and less antisocial behaviour. Building homes to Passivhaus standard is therefore an attractive proposition for Local Authorities and Housing associations, as well as the residents themselves.

Cullinan Studio’s proposals for Osborne Grove and Vicarage Road will create a mix of 1, 2 and 3-bed homes, with Osborne Grove providing a community hub including a Market Traders team office and welfare facilities.