December 10 2021

Barratt Homes has launched a zero-carbon home concept that will be occupied and monitored to assess performance as part of a commitment to reduce direct carbon emissions by 29% by 2025.

The Z house is a design showcase intended to demonstrate what can be achieved by a mainstream volume housebuilder with lessons learned from its construction to be shared across the industry.

Built from closed panel timber frames with insulated cladding, factory fitted windows and offsite masonry wall panels the design reduces reliance on bricklayers and reduces build time by half.

Based on an existing house type the prototype home has been built at the University of Salford main campus and will be occupied by an academic during the monitoring stage. Features include overhead infrared panels to provide zero-carbon heat, air-powered showers and plaster which absorbs pollutants. The team have also collaborated with the RSPB to include biodiverse gardens.

David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments, said: “Ultimately, the aim is to find solutions to enable the industry to build high quality, zero-carbon homes that customers love, at scale. We can then share this knowledge to help the industry deliver the future of sustainable housing.”

Barratt has committed to making all new homes zero carbon by 2030.

8 Comments

#1 Posted by TheFakeArchitect on 10 Dec 2021 at 11:56 AM

Ok then...., but why are the windows so small?

#2 Posted by monkey9000 on 10 Dec 2021 at 12:51 PM

When you're plugged into the metaverse you don't need natural light.

#3 Posted by Bemused_Citizen on 10 Dec 2021 at 13:59 PM

Not to be pedantic or anything but what do Barratt mean by "zero-carbon"? Do they not mean net-zero or are seriously suggesting that they built this monstrosity with absolutely no carbon emissions?

#4 Posted by HMR on 10 Dec 2021 at 14:26 PM

This is what I fear will happen. Mass volume housing of fairly poor design and quality, sweeping the market under the NetZero banner.

#5 Posted by Oh! F*** it! on 10 Dec 2021 at 16:23 PM

Never mind the bollocks, this is like something from the Essex design guide and it's to be rolled out UK-wide? Cultural appropriation by definition.
Bang to rights, guvnor.

#6 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 11 Dec 2021 at 11:29 AM

Light vs Carbon footprint -- Discuss.

Would triple glazing make a difference?
Light boxes that can be closed off from the main room space?

Interesting to see who comes up with the solutions?

Architects as stylists?
Architects as "designers"?
Engineers?

#7 Posted by Peter on 13 Dec 2021 at 08:57 AM

#6 FBOT - Funny how it's child easy around the world, yest so hard to achieve in UK. As for the shoebox in picture - gosh, it's so ugly. Generic cladding, value enginnered to the bone, cheapest possible shrubbing (owners will drop the digarette ends in it, anyway, huh?) and net-zero-washing all around :/

#8 Posted by Pappa on 13 Dec 2021 at 11:44 AM

Someone needs to tell him the camera is below him.

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