De Montfort University and Calfordseaden KTP 24_25 R3

A new design process will let housebuilders construct low-carbon homes at scale without sacrificing quality or speed. The problem is straightforward: building homes that meet the PassivHaus standard—ultra-low energy buildings that require almost no heating—remains slow and expensive when done at scale. Current design methods were not built for mass production, so developers often default to conventional construction that locks in higher carbon emissions for decades. This project aims to rewrite the design workflow itself, creating a repeatable process that integrates low- and zero-carbon principles from the start. If the process works, it could change how large housing developments are built across the UK. Instead of treating energy efficiency as an expensive add-on, developers would have a standardised method to deliver PassivHaus homes efficiently. The impact sits in the construction supply chain and the energy grid: fewer homes needing gas heating means lower national emissions and reduced strain on energy infrastructure. For the people who live in these homes, the result is lower bills and more comfortable indoor temperatures year-round. This is applied research with a clear, near-term target—scaling up a proven standard to meet the country’s housing and climate goals simultaneously.