Blackrock Street, Manchester
Blackrock Street is a development located in Beswick, East Manchester, created by the housing provider One Manchester. It comprises 22 sustainable and affordable homes that are certified to the Passivhaus standard and comply with the UK Green Building Council's (UKGBC) definition of Net Zero Carbon for both operational and embodied carbon.
The development offers a mix of 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes intended for social rent, and the entire project is designed to be gas-free, adhering to Passivhaus standards. The construction employs modular techniques, utilising prefabricated, pre-insulated timber frame panels for the external fabric. This approach allows for cost-effective and efficient construction while achieving the performance levels stipulated by Passivhaus standards.
Notably, two of the three-bedroom homes aim for zero-carbon status concerning both operational and embodied carbon, making them pioneers in the realm of truly zero-carbon social rent homes in the UK. This ambition is realised through high energy efficiency levels typical of Passivhaus, complemented by the installation of solar photovoltaic panels.
An embodied carbon assessment considers the advantages offered by timber frame construction, and the design team works diligently to minimise the use of materials with high embodied carbon. The scheme’s carbon balance is evaluated using GWPA's Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) energy assessment, with ongoing energy use measurements in place.
The project team, including GWPA Passivhaus Designer Daniel Tomlinson, Eco-Res, main contractor John Southworth Builders, and client One Manchester, has successfully achieved these high standards while ensuring the fulfilment of criteria for low-carbon living and the urgent need for affordable housing.
The scheme is showcased as an exemplar on the UKGBC's website for Zero-Carbon buildings. It has amassed several accolades, being a finalist in the Northwest Housebuilder Awards 2023 for 'Sustainability Impact', shortlisted in the UK Housing Awards for Climate Change Project of the Year, and nominated for the Inside Housing Development Awards for the best healthy homes development..
