Heathcott Road, Leicester

Large Residential Scheme of the Year Award 2017 Finalist

Leicester City Council sold the land to SLNC for just £1 to enable the community to work with emh group to develop what is described as a beacon for sustainable and affordable housing.

The Passivhaus Trust says Heathcott Road is of national significance because it shows Passivhaus developments can be built at that scale to provide comfortable and healthy homes with very low running costs.

Bringing together energy efficiency and affordability, the project attracted more than £2m funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

The homes face south with increased glass, are highly insulated and use controlled ventilation to maintain a stable inside temperature and good air quality.

Inside, the rooms are designed to be interesting and to have features that create delightful spaces. Exposed timber beams reveal the structural construction of the houses.