Housing, East Sussex

Newhaven Green: UK’s first accredited Active House Development

Stickland Wright were project architects from the early stages and throughout the detailed design on North Lane Newhaven, we are incredibly excited to see this project now completed. Newhaven Green is a commercial venture by property developer, Miracles by Design, to develop 13 flats to the Active House standard, these are now the UK’s first accredited Active House homes, an amazing achievement by the team.

Miracles by Design are a Newhaven based development company who believe that the most effective solution to combating climate change in construction is to make sustainable design the world’s most profitable activity. In their view, ‘bills are design flaws’ and a change in mindset is needed to improve design solutions that will reduce, eliminate or even turn expenditure into income.

The Active House certification ensures buildings offer a healthier and comfortable indoor climate for the occupants without negative impact on the climate – measured in terms of energy, fresh water consumption and the use of sustainable materials. This is a holistic approach to building design that has been adopted in the construction industry and amongst planners and designers. The flats, in the centre of Newhaven, will offer residents zero bills, substantial indoor planting and healthy internal environments, predominantly through the use of natural materials.

Stickland Wright worked closely with MBD Founder, Humayun Khan, to follow Active House principles, using natural and low embodied energy materials, where possible, and focusing on comfort and well-being by maximising daylight, improving thermal performance and indoor air quality. Each unit boasts 3 times more daylight than the average UK home, no energy bills, internal green walls and an innovative air cleaning process that pumps air through the soil of the Phytoremediation system, microbes then digest any pollution particles providing cleaner, fresher air.

Project team

Developer: Miracles by Design

Engineer: Haworth McCall

M&E Consultants: Crofton

CGI images: Miracles by Design

SERVICES PROVIDED

Stickland Wright collaborated closely with the client to refine the design brief and explore innovative solutions for site optimisation. The developer presented an ambitious vision to create the UK’s first Active House, and we were ideally positioned to embrace this ground breaking opportunity on a complex and challenging urban site.

Within our SW+ service we meticulously developed fully detailed tender packages for construction management procurement, led by the developer. The Active House criteria emphasise low embodied energy and healthy internal environments. A timber frame with wood-fibre insulation was used, creating a fully ‘breathable’ system that met stringent compliance requirements.

This flagship low-energy design project achieved compliance using the Active House Radar, integrating solar PV panels, low-energy design principles, high internal comfort and air quality, sustainable materials, biophilic design, and excellent daylighting. Fully aligned with Active House principles, it proudly earned the UK’s first Active House certification.