Wolfgang Feist- UK could overtake Germany in Passivhaus uptake
Prof. Wolfgang Feist, the founder and director of the Passivhaus Institute (PHI) and professor of building physics at the University of Innsbruck was in the UK recently to receive his RIBA Honorary Fellowship Award and to visit a selection of leading Passivhaus projects, and exchange ideas with major stakeholders involved in the development of the Passivhaus Standard in the UK.
After the visits, Feist who was very visibly impressed from all the extensive feedback received from members of the design teams, contractors, Local authority and residents, told building design: “UK could outdo Germany in Passivhaus uptake. Most British architects working in the field have very good know-how,” he said. “They are really capable of building to these standards and the results have been very convincing. There are really nice concepts, buildings and satisfied people.”
The RIBA awards ceremony took place on 6th February at the RIBA HQ in London, followed by a gala dinner. Honorary Fellowships are awarded by the RIBA Council each year to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the quality of architecture, the achievements of the profession and the aims and objectives of the RIBA.
"This award proves that British architects are recognising the potential Passivhaus offers to meet future sustainability requirements", said Feist in his acceptance speech."Passivhaus offers full design freedom while reducing energy dependency by 80% compared with current legal requirements for new-builds."
Prior to the RIBA awards ceremony, Feist visited Passivhaus projects in and around London. During the visits, organised by the Passivhaus Trust and its Patron member’s; Feist was able to see for himself how the Passivhaus Standard has become increasingly established in the UK. In Norwich, Feist met with the design team for the University of East Anglia’s (UEA) Norwich Research Park Enterprise Centre (NREPC), an exemplar project expected to be a flagship project for the region, maximising the use of local materials and stimulating the local economy. The £15.9m project is expected to go before a planning committee in March.
Prof Feist with the NREPC Design Review team at UEA. Photo courtesy UEA
After the 4 hour design team meeting, Prof Feist said: “This will be a convincing solution, not only on the energy issue, but also on the purpose of the building, which is the most important thing, always. I think this is one of the first university buildings that is going to be built, even in Europe, and it is quite interesting to see the enthusiasm and the imagination of the whole crew.”
Project architect Ben Humphries, Architype, said: “He has made some very practical suggestions where perhaps we had over-complicated the design. We are able to head into the detailed design phase of the project with a lot more conviction now we have had that validation from the top man at the Passivhaus institute.”
Feist then went on to visit Hastoe Housing Association’s recently-built 14 homes in conservation are at Ditchingham. This is Hastoe’s second Passivhaus scheme after the award-winning Wimbish Passivhaus. Feist was welcomed by community representatives and the building’s residents and presented the project team with their ‘Certified Passivhaus’ certificate.
John Lefever, Hastoe’s regional head of development, said: “We are delighted with the accreditation and to have him here was the icing on the cake. The development was a partnership with the local authority, the architects and the builders all coming together and the result is the tenants are living in properties that have very, very low running costs.”
Prof. Feist handing over the Ditchingham Passivhaus acreditation certificate to Brian Carrol from Hastoe Housing Association while the building residents and local authority members look on. Photo: UEA
In London Feist was joined by the Passivhaus Trust on his visit to Chester Balmore in Camden. Chester Balmore, which is currently under construction, will be UK’s largest Passivhaus scheme with 53 homes being developed for Camden Council by Willmott Dixon with the detailed design delivered by Architype. 25% of the homes will be rented out as social housing. According to Willmott Dixon, construction costs for this Passive House complex will not exceed those for a conventional new build, which highly impressed Prof. Feist.
Senior staff from Camden Council also attended the visit including the Leader of the Council, Cllr Sarah Hayward who introduced the project to Feist. Councillor Julian Fulbrook, Camden Council cabinet member for housing, said: “These homes are a milestone for Camden Council as the first ones we have built since 1999 and as the start of one of the largest house building programmes of any Local Authority in the country. This is in the context of government cuts to Camden of more than £200m to our capital funding.”
“I am delighted that we have been able not just to build these new homes but to build them to such high environmental standards. I’m looking forward to the first residents moving in and benefiting from the innovative design and reduced heating costs.”
Prof. Feist joined by the Passivhaus Trust with the Chester Balmore team during his visit. Photo: Kirsten Priebe | Passivhaus Trust
Further information:
Photo gallery of Prof. Wolfgang Feist's visits on flickr
Mustard video: Passivhaus founder Prof Wolfgang Feist surveys plans for UEA enterprise centre
UK could overtake Germany in Passivhaus uptake- Building Design Article
Passivhaus needs support as it reaches critical mass- Building Design Article
15th February 2013
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