Passivhaus street shortlisted for top RIBA award Wednesday, 31 July, 2019

A social housing scheme of almost 100 Passivhaus dwellings, the largest of its kind in the UK, has been celebrated by the RIBA.

Goldsmith Street in Norwich received the RIBA East Regional Award, RIBA East Client of the Year for Norwich City Council and the RIBA East Sustainability Award 2019. It then went forward to win an RIBA National Award, and is now one of six projects shortlisted for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize. As dedicated advocates for Passivhaus design, Hamson Barron Smith was delighted to provide quantity surveying services for this extensive scheme which has transformed a neighbourhood of the city street into a contemporary and highly energy-efficient community.

While the homes are laid out in a plan that was influenced by the nearby traditional Victorian terraces, their design is extremely modern with black glazed pantiles, perforated metal brise soleils and a raft of energy conscious elements. Mainly for social rent, its Passivhaus design will see fuel bills for residents lowered to approximately £150 a year. Parking provision has been pushed to the perimeter meaning the streets feel ‘owned’ by pedestrians rather than cars, and the pathway into the city centre has been imaginatively landscaped.

Jon Greenfield, Director of Architecture and Hamson Barron Smith, chaired the Regional RIBA (RIBA East) Design Jury and described the scheme as an ‘exemplary project’. Goldsmith Street is also shortlisted for the RICS Awards Grand Final. Both the RIBA and RICS winners will be announced in October.