Passivhaus remains a developing aspect of the UK’s mainstream design and construction industry, often viewed as a niche or costly option with lifestyle implications. However, in Scotland, it is gaining traction, with a law set to make a ‘Passivhaus-equivalent’ standard mandatory for new homes from 2028.
Our 2021 whitepaper revealed that while adoption has been slow, the design process is not necessarily as challenging as commonly perceived. One persistent stigma is the perceived ‘boxy’ aesthetics of Passivhaus buildings, driven by energy-efficient form factors. The survey also explored concerns around window placement and other design constraints.
This new whitepaper expands on these findings, exploring how attitudes have evolved since 2021 and offering deeper insights into project challenges, compromises, design approaches, costs, and the scalability of Passivhaus standards. The whitepaper revisits key questions to track progress, examining architects’ views on sector suitability, client perceptions, and developers’ acceptance of Passivhaus design. It also investigates factors driving adoption, remaining stigmas, priorities for sustainable technologies, and preferred construction methods, providing a comprehensive update on the state of Passivhaus in the UK.
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TopicsArchitecture Design Passivhaus