Brook Lodge Farm Passivhaus - rural dwelling achieves Passivhaus certification

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This cedar shingle-clad, rural dwelling has received confirmation of certification to the Passivhaus standard from the PHI. Developed from a sketch concept design by architect Nic Pople, Awen Design Director, Mark Elton, has taken the project from planning through the technical design 

and construction phases – where the owner oversaw the build herself despite being complete self-build novice! The insulated raft substructure and twin-stud timber frame were supplied and constructed by MBC Timber, while triple- and quadruple-glazed Internorm windows with integral blinds were used to manage heat losses and gains via the predominantly west-facing facade. The interiors feature polished concrete and oak industrial parquet floors, combined with lime plaster walls, microcement wetroom linings and birch plywood joinery to create calm and contemporary spaces that the client loves.

In 2023, Awen Design were appointed to oversee architectural proposals for the 'deep' retrofit of the mid-rise residential social housing next to the site of Grenfell Tower for the Lancaster West Neighbourhood Team. The scheme will see a comprehensive transformation of the existing 368 flats and maisonettes with external brick slip-faced insulation measures, replacement high-performance windows and doors, integration of a district heating system and individual heat recovery ventilation systems. The refurbishment will tackle the complexities of the multi-facetted façade with residents in situ but, most significantly, will learn from the lessons of the past in terms of maximising fire safety in all interventions. Planning consent was achieved in July 2025 and we moved on to the technical design stage, working alongside contractor Amber Construction to develop detailed specifications and designs responding to the complex needs of retrofitting with residents in place.

The blocks feature generous communal access ‘streets’ that are sheltered but unheated spaces with glazed roof lanterns. The retrofit measures will therefore also incorporate wall and soffit insulation to these inward-facing facades along with upgraded smoke vent controls, replacement fire doors and sprinkler systems. A communal heating system, served by a nearby heat pump array, is also being integrated discretely to the interiors with tiled finishes, acoustic linings and new lighting proposals. Residents have been engaged in the design since the outset and their contributions are on-going. Awen Design are now working closely with the supply chain as architect and principle designer to achieve the highest standards of thermal bridge-free junctions and airtightness in the detailed design pacakges, ahead of the likely start on site in spring 2026.