Custom House Phase 1

Summary

Custom House Ph1 is the transformation of a single block in the London Borough of Newham into 90 residential units, designed to meet Passivhaus accreditation. Passivhaus sets stringent energy efficiency requirements. The scheme puts sustainable living into a densely populated urban setting and brings eco-friendly design principles into residential development. We carried out MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health) design modifications to suit the constraints of building in the city, with energy efficiency and resident comfort as the governing criteria.

Technical Innovations

Passivhaus Compliance: The design adopts the stringent energy efficiency requirements of the Passivhaus standard.

MVHR Systems: Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units maintain air quality and thermal comfort.

Ventilation Optimisation: Ventilation ductwork was converted to a spiral design, cutting pressure drops and improving airflow efficiency.

Insulation Enhancements: Pipework insulation thickness was increased to reduce overheating in the communal corridors, keeping them comfortable for residents.

Sustainability Achievements and Outcome

The sustainability targets on Custom House Ph1 were met by working closely with the Hill Group. Between us we exceeded the environmental standards expected of the development, and the building is future-proofed against climate change. Residents get a healthier living environment.