A Net Zero Carbon residential development for the Royal Borough of Greenwich, providing new homes using Modern Methods of Construction.

The development transforms previously underused brownfield garage sites into much needed affordable accommodation. This project is split across two adjacent sites: The Underwood provides eight two-storey homes, and Flintmill delivers two semi-detached houses.

To achieve the council’s aspirations for a Net Zero Carbon build, we designed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) which offer benefits such as a low carbon footprint, rapid build times, high thermal performance, and air tightness. We also used Tetris insulation blocks at ground floor – a highly sustainable and efficient flooring system to reduce embodied carbon and to provide a higher thermal performance.

The ground conditions were poor, but our investigations proved that conventional shallow foundations could be used in conjunction with a lightweight frame and ground floor structure. This approach resulted in significant cost and programme savings when compared to a typical piled foundation option.

Social Housing Project of the Year, Offsite Awards
Building Performance Award, Building Awards Shortlist
Building Project of the Year Under £10m, Constructing Excellence SECBE Award, Finalist
Sustainability, Constructing Excellence SECBE Award, Finalist

Completed 2021.

Team: Mike Davies, Jacky Ng, Joe Cox, Chris Croft

News: The Underwood shortlisted for a Building Award