BRE and the International Passivhaus Association have announced the names of the finalists in a competition to create Passivhaus demonstration homes for the BRE Innovation Parks in Watford and Scotland.

The aim of the competition has been to demonstrate that the Passivhaus standard can provide an affordable method of delivering ultra-low energy social and private housing.

It also addresses other key issues: occupant wellbeing, fuel poverty, energy security and wider environmental impacts. Applicants were invited to design either a semi-detached Passivhaus for the Watford Innovation Park that meets a minimum of Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and/or a detached Passivhaus for the site in Scotland which achieves Level 6 of the Code. Finalists for the plot on the Watford Innovation Park are:

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* Passivhaus design solutions

* Bere: architects & The Princes Foundation working with Hastoe housing group

* Sustainable by Design

* Good Architecture

* AH3 Architekten

* Prewett Bizley & Pauls Davis + Partners

Finalists for the Scotland Innovation Park house are:

The PassivCollective

* Bere: architects and The Princes Foundation

* Nicoll Russell Studios

* Sustainable by Design

Kym Mead, Passivhaus Consultant at BRE said: "The competition has provided a great opportunity for Passivhaus enthusiasts to demonstrate their design knowledge by creating affordable ultra-low energy homes that are great to live in.

"The winning designs will get fantastic exposure to the many thousands of visitors to the Parks - it is a fantastic opportunity.

"The finalists submissions will be judged by an appointed panel of UK and International Passivhaus design experts and the winner will be announced on 31 January 2012. The homes will be constructed next year, and will be subject to monitoring and testing."

(GK/DW)