Agar Grove Estate

Completed in 2018, Phase 1A consists of 38 socially rented Passivhaus homes. Dwellings are dual aspect, enabling cross ventilation for effective natural cooling. Deep, south-facing balconies block peak summer solar gains and large window openings allow purge ventilation.

Renewable energy is provided via a PV array, exemplary air tightness helps to reduce heat losses and improve thermal comfort, and comprehensive post-occupancy evaluation has helped improve residents' comfort and experience. An innovative communal MVHR ensures a continuous supply of fresh filtered air. 

Data has shown that internal temperatures rarely dropped below 21°C in winter and only went above 26°C during the peak summer months, while resident feedback showed that all residents felt the air quality in their apartments was good and general comfort was a huge improvement on their previous flats. 

Phase 1B was completed in July 2021 and consists of 57 social and market-rate Passivhaus homes. Much of the MEP strategy from Phase 1A has been duplicated, with the Passivhaus ‘fabric first’ approach helping to achieve a high build quality. Individual MVHR units for each apartment provide fresh air and reduce heat loss, while solid materials, comprehensive insulation and robust detailing ensure good noise separation.

Phase 1C consists of 125 homes across two blocks and was completed in 2024. Changes in legislative requirements allowed us to deliver this phase as fossil fuel-free, the first all-electric development of the estate. The innovative heating system uses an ambient loop system which minimises distribution losses, helping with summer comfort, and allowing for the graceful introduction of active cooling in the future as the climate continues to warm. Each core has centralised air source heat pumps which produce tepid water which is then circulated round the building, with the temperature boosted by local water source heat pumps in each dwelling, creating higher temperatures for heating and hot water.