Passivhaus design and construction
Passivhaus is the world’s leading standard for comfortable, healthy and exceptionally energy-efficient buildings. For existing and historic buildings, the EnerPHit standard — the Passivhaus retrofit standard — brings the same principles to buildings that are already standing: high levels of insulation, an airtight envelope, high-performance glazing and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery for a constant supply of fresh, filtered air.
Central Lodge, Birkenhead Park
Working with architects Progress in Practice, Lancashire Heritage is the contractor on the Grade II Listed Central Lodge in the heart of Birkenhead Park, the world’s first municipal park. The lodge is being retrofitted to the EnerPHit standard, potentially making it the first EnerPHit of a Listed building in the world. The project is not only pushing the boundaries of what is possible with historic buildings, but also contributes to research in this field being conducted by the University of Liverpool.
The full retrofit of the existing building includes internal wall insulation of wood fibre and lime plaster, with recycled newspaper insulation to the roofs. A basement conversion and extension has been created from reinforced concrete with EPS insulation and a contemporary sandstone cladding. The existing windows have been fitted with vacuum glazing, alongside new high-performance windows.
Fresh air is supplied by a Zehnder ComfoAir Q350 MVHR system, with heating and hot water from a 5kW Vaillant air source heat pump and 13 monocrystalline solar modules with battery storage. The result is a target space heating demand of just 25kWh/m²a. The project is due to complete in spring 2026.
Whether you are planning a Passivhaus new build or a low-energy retrofit of a traditional or listed building, we combine our heritage craftsmanship with modern building science to create buildings that are built to last and kind to the environment.
Case study gallery — Central Lodge
Images courtesy of Progress in Practice.