Exemplar Sustainable Building Awards: Large project finalist: Goldsmith Street Passivhaus

Large Projects finalist in the 2025 Exemplar Sustainable Building Awards. Goldsmith Street isn’t just an award-winning social housing development, it’s a game-changer to prove that local authorities can deliver net zero-ready homes - beautifully, affordably, and at scale. Nestled in Norwich and commissioned by Norwich City Council, this 93-home Passivhaus project seamlessly blends stunning design with social purpose, creating light-filled, community-focused homes where annual energy bills can be as low as £150.

A recipient of the prestigious 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize, Goldsmith Street is redefining affordable housing with its human-scale terraces, sunny streets, and ultra-low energy use—all built to a tight budget without sacrificing quality. As Norwich’s first council housing scheme in a generation, it sets a bold precedent for delivering precision Passivhaus standards while fostering a strong sense of community.

This visionary project is a UK benchmark for sustainable housing, thanks to a forward-thinking public client, expert delivery team, and fabric-first, timber-based construction. Its hybrid MMC timber frame achieves top-tier performance without compromising on cost or design, minimizing embodied carbon while meeting rigorous airtightness and thermal efficiency goals.