John Gilbert Architects and contractors Stewart & Shields have developed Passivhoos – homes designed specifically for Scottish social housing providers that meet international Passivhaus standards and Scottish Government budget benchmarks.

Passivhoos’ aim is to eradicate fuel poverty, reduce rent arrears and offer high level of resident comfort and satisfaction.

John Gilbert Architects director, Matt Bridgestock, said: “We’ve developed Passivhaus homes that are affordable and can be produced on a larger scale for social housing, bringing the benefits to a wider market and for those who need it most.

“Our collaboration with Stewart & Shields has enabled us to work rigorously on the affordability and with our supply chain, we can offer designs on a fixed budget which fall within the Scottish Government housing association benchmark.”

Stewart and Shields director, Mark Shields, added: “Stewart and Shields Ltd has enthusiastically adhered to the building criteria demanded by Passivhaus standards for a long time.

“From our early involvement in projects such as A’Chrannag in Rothesay for Fyne Homes, which in 2004 was regarded as one of the most energy efficient buildings in Europe, to current our current work with Shettleston Housing Association on Old Carntyne Church. This partnership with John Gilbert Architects introduces a level of Passivhaus construction processes to a 19th century church while constructing fully Passivhaus-compliant flats in a new extension alongside.

“We believe that now is the time to reduce the economic disparity between conventional building methods and the future needs of the built environment. Our direction and training programmes are focused on achieving this essential goal in a sustainable manner. Our collaboration with John Gilbert Architects is on target to achieve this through the exciting and innovative Passivhoos concept.”

To book a place at the launch on Tuesday 13 June at 9am – The Teacher Building, St Enoch Square, Glasgow – please email events@johngilbert.co.uk.