After a successful tender process, Brenig were awarded the contract to build 22 highly energy-efficient ‘Passivhaus’ homes as part of Denbighshire council’s commitment to building 170 homes in the region by 2022. The build consisted of 18 two-bedroom and 4 four-bedroom semi-detached houses, to be made available for social rent. Working in conjunction with Creating Enterprise, using the Beattie Passive Build system, work began on the site near Denbigh in October 2020.
The site itself directly adjoins farmland, which required the creation of a 160m gabion retaining wall. Using the Beattie Passive system meant part of the construction took place offsite, with Creating Enterprise assembling the frames and Brenig constructing the houses in situ. The houses make use of solar panels, airtight triple-glazed windows and ground source heat pumps, all of which combined means the running costs are about a third that of a conventional home. Because of the low-impact modern methods of construction, the project was part-funded by the Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme.
During the build, we engaged the local community through outreach programmes: organising site visits for the local school, to give children an insight into the modern methods of construction being employed. The design incorporates decorative brickwork set in a modern look and feel and the houses themselves are large, comfortable and bright. The build is due for completion before Christmas 2021.
