Plashet Road will provide 65 homes for social rent for the London Borough of Newham, with provision of 39% family dwellings, alongside a nursery. The exemplar building will be built to Passivhaus 'Classic' certification, delivering a design that promotes low carbon living, minimises future energy costs for residents and reduces long-life maintenance costs.
The form and layout of the building has evolved in response to key Passivhaus principles and the orientation of the site. By locating gallery access routes to the north or east of each building, the majority of balconies, living rooms and bedrooms are south- or west-facing to optimise daylight and the potential for solar gain. This ensures that all flats are dual aspect, with at least one aspect to a quiet area to allow natural ventilation to manage summer temperatures.
The site, which is currently empty, was formerly a Victorian school which later became a community centre, and is bounded by twelve mature London plane trees, each protected by a Tree Preservation Order. The new homes are therefore set deep within the site to avoid the root protection area, with extensive planting added around the perimeter and within the courtyard, enhancing biodiversity across the site.
New homes for social rent designed to a Passivhaus standard, along with a nursery and landscaped courtyard.