Innovation

Honingham Earth-Sheltered Housing Scheme

The scheme was commissioned and is managed by Pedders Way Housing Association with Oxbury & Company Project Managing the Design and Build.
The Scheme won an Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Sustainability Award in 2006 and has achieved wide recognition and press coverage for its innovation.

There's no conventional heating or cooling system and the development has zero carbon emissions. The houses are earth-sheltered, meaning the north, west and east walls are covered by an earth mound, almost 'like putting the building in its very own overcoat'. Only the south face of the house is left open to capture heat and light from the sun. Light comes through the full-length windows and it stays at 72°F throughout the winter.

The Homes and Communty Agencies funding requirements were met when the construction tenders came in under budget  (direct comparisons were made to recently completed conventional bungalow developments within the area, completed by the Flagship Group).

The Honingham scheme has also provided a commercially viable solution for the construction industry. It’s a demonstration project that confirms we can live and work in zero CO² emission buildings with no loss of comfort. Collectively these buildings actively enhance and protect the natural environment, both locally and globally.