This mixed-use development provides six Passivhaus certified flats with the existing street facing building refurbished to provide four additional flats above two retail units.
By specifying the use of the Passivhaus methodology on this town centre regeneration project, Midlothian Council has built one of the first Passive House certified social housing projects in Scotland, has moved towards addressing the climate emergency, and has created homes which benefit from nearly zero operational carbon use.
The design combines new and old to enhance the existing character of the area, intertwining design ideas and materials. New flats were created above commercial space within an existing stone building, and further affordable housing was provided within a new building to the rear of Buccleuch Street. Missing pedestrian routes between important nodes in the town were added within the site design, enhancing the regeneration value of the site.
We worked closely with the design team to develop a structural strategy that minimises thermal bridging and maintains air tightness. Despite poor ground conditions, thermally efficient foundations and ground floor slabs have been achieved through the use of loadbearing insulation.
A highly insulated thermal envelope is provided by deep I-section timber studs and airtight sheathing boards. The roof and floor joist supports have been carefully detailed so as not to penetrate the thermal envelope.
