An architects practice is being funded by the Technology Strategy Board to undertake design and feasibity studies into a proposed scheme to retrofit three empty houses to Passivhaus standard. The Retrofit for the Future competition is designed to address the challenge laid down by the government's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. Anne Thorne Architects Partnership are working on prototype projects with two Housing Associations and a Local Authority in three different geographical areas; an Edwardian terraced house refit in Haringey, north London, for Metropolitan Housing Trust (North), a late nineteenth century terraced house in the Potteries area of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, with Sanctuary Midlands Group. The third project is a pair of semi-detached, post-war houses in Powys, Wales, where the architects are working with local construction company Ecostruct.

The houses are to be retro-fitted to Passivhaus standard, which will mean that only minimal heating will be required. This involves high levels of insulation, with careful detailing to avoid cold bridging as well as acheiving excellent airtightness.

The knowledge gained will assist MHT's programme of refurbishment of street properties, the refurbishment of the Hanley terraces, and the problem of the huge stock of energy inefficient post war social housing stock.

Renewable services include whole house heat recovery ventilation, and new solar thermal gas installations for hot water.

Careful monitoring of both Passivhaus retrofits and standard energy saving retrofits will be carried out, in co-operation with the residents.