Project Overview
A five-storey residential building located in the heart of Bournemouth.
Providing affordable rental housing designed to the Passivhaus standard – one of the most rigorous energy efficiency benchmarks in the world.
The building comprises seven one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats, incorporating distinctive metal artwork screening on the ground floor and car parking at street level. The design combines architectural interest with high environmental performance, offering modern and sustainable homes within the town centre.
Constructed to Passivhaus principles, the development achieves exceptional energy efficiency, using up to 90% less energy than a typical UK building. Heating and hot water are provided through ground source heat pumps (GSHPs), which extract natural warmth from the earth via underground pipework. This low-carbon system ensures year-round comfort and efficiency while maintaining excellent air quality and occupant wellbeing.
Key Challenges & Solutions
Passivhaus Standards: Achieving Passivhaus certification required meticulous attention to air tightness, insulation and thermal bridging throughout the design and build process.
The construction team worked closely with sustainability consultants to monitor performance at every stage. High-quality detailing, rigorous testing and specialist materials ensured the strict Passivhaus criteria were met without compromise.
Integrating Renewable Energy Systems in a Constrained Urban Site: Installing the ground source heat pump system in a tight town-centre location presented logistical and spatial challenges.
The team developed a coordinated groundworks strategy to install the extensive network of underground pipes efficiently and safely, maintaining programme timescales and minimising disruption to the surrounding area.
Project Outcomes
The completed Cabbage Patch scheme has delivered high-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet both the sustainability and affordability objectives of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council.
Residents benefit from superior thermal comfort, with consistent indoor temperatures, no draughts or condensation, and a healthy living environment throughout the year. The integration of GSHP technology and highly insulated construction significantly reduces operational energy use and carbon emissions, lowering long-term running costs for occupants.
Architecturally, the building enhances the surrounding streetscape through its modern design and bespoke metal screening, while contributing to the local authority’s commitment to sustainable, community-focused regeneration in Bournemouth’s urban centre.
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