Old Carntyne Church, in the east end of Glasgow, was transformed from a semi-derelict building into one of Scotland’s most energy-efficient affordable housing developments, including the city’s first multi-storey Passivhaus building.

This ambitious development has been selected as a finalist in the ‘Best affordable housing development (urban)’ and ‘Best older people’s housing development (up to 50 homes)’ categories.

The development, renamed Cunningham House, was built by contractor Stewart & Shields and designed by architects, Page\Park with John Gilbert Architects as Passivhaus Designer.

The redevelopment saw the conversion of the original church building into 13 amenity flats and a semi-detached 3-bed home with a glazed link to the five Passivhaus certified homes in the new five-storey tower. All 19 homes are designed and built to extremely high standards of energy efficiency, airtightness, and insulation.

Patrick Flynn, head of housing and regeneration services at Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow City Council is delighted that Cunningham House has been nominated for two awards at the Inside Housing Awards. 

“The development is the first Passivhaus development funded through Glasgow’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme and is part of Glasgow’s strategy to develop high-quality, low-carbon homes with low running costs to help address fuel poverty and meet the city’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.”

Financial support for the project was provided by Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government.

Gillian Johnston, chair of Shettleston Housing Association, said: “We are thrilled that Cunningham House has been shortlisted for these two national awards. The Association has been delighted to breathe new life into the former Carntyne Church building with this fantastic new development.

“All of the new homes are built to an extremely high standard of energy efficiency and the Association is proud to have delivered the first Passivhaus standard social rent homes in the city. Our tenants will reap the rewards of this through lower heating bills and improved comfort and we wish them all the very best in their new homes.”

Winners will be announced at the Inside Housing Development Awards event on November 27 at the Intercontinental 02 Hotel in London.