The family-run business delivered the project at Burnbrae Road, Bonnyrigg, which comprises 16 residential flats, four residential houses and a ground floor retail unit.

Fleming was appointed to the project in 2020 to work alongside all stakeholders in a two-stage D&B, assisting with the design from the outset of the development and beginning work on-site in April 2022.

The Passivhaus certification ensures the highest standard of thermal comfort within a building and minimises in-use carbon. Passivhaus adopts a systematic approach with clear, measured targets developed throughout the design stage, focused on high-quality construction, certified through an exacting quality assurance process.

The Passivhaus methodology and approach has been gaining traction in Scotland in recent years, both in domestic and non-domestic projects, as building standards move generally towards energy efficiency, ensuring buildings perform to the highest standards and removing the ‘performance gap’.

Fleming worked in close collaboration with the design team and Passivhaus designer to develop a design that would fulfil all certification requirements and was deliverable within the client’s budget.

By working alongside Fleming’s sister division, Fleming Timber Structures, they were able to optimise the timber frame solution, utilising experience from the delivery of several other certified Passivhaus projects.

A key benefit of utilising a structural timber frame was addressing the embodied carbon of the build. Other materiality choices aided this such as using sheep wool insulation around windows rather than oil-based expanding foams.

Neil N. Davidson, special projects co-ordinator for place at Midlothian Council, said: “We found Fleming to be very pragmatic throughout the project from the design period through to the completion of the project.

“They worked to find solutions in a very positive manner and the council are delighted with the end product which aligns with our policies to provide warm, comfortable, high-performance homes for our residents/tenants.

“This project demonstrates how the latest design and construction standards can contribute to lower energy costs and sustainability. The decision to build these new homes is part of our commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030 as outlined in the council’s Climate Change Strategy. These new homes are part of Phase 3 of the council’s innovative house building programme.

“With Fleming having supported Midlothian Council in education, community, commercial and now residential projects, we would be happy to work with Fleming again when we have the opportunity.”

Claire Cockburn, project architect at Smith Scott Mullan Associates, said: “We had an excellent and effective working relationship with Fleming on this project.

“Burnbrae was one of the first Passivhaus projects for most of the project team and involved upskilling and learning for everyone. Fleming were enthusiastic in tackling this new challenge, and worked collaboratively with us to meet the quality and demands associated with a Passivahus project.

“The finished project looks great and we hope the residents enjoy their new low-energy and comfortable homes. We look forward to working with Fleming again on future projects.

Euan McDermott, pre-construction manager at Fleming, said: “At Fleming, we’re always learning – from our design team to the tradesman on site, we’ve really been prioritising upskilling our in-house team. The industry has spent so long being unsustainable, so it’s more important than ever we all start focusing on the journey to net zero.”