Barratt Homes Adopts Passivhaus Standard for New London Developments

In a bold move for sustainable construction in the UK, Barratt Developments, the country’s largest volume housebuilder, has announced that all its future housing developments in London will meet or exceed the Passivhaus standard. This landmark decision puts Barratt at the forefront of energy-efficient residential construction, signalling a major shift in how mainstream developers approach climate-conscious building.

At Internorm Commercial, we welcome this evolution. For over 90 years, Internorm has led the market in high-performance windows and doors, offering advanced systems that meet the rigorous demands of Passivhaus-certified construction, including the highly regarded KF410 window system.

A Landmark Moment for UK Housing

Barratt’s commitment comes at a pivotal time. With growing pressure to decarbonise the built environment and an urgent need to future-proof homes against rising energy costs, Passivhaus offers a proven route to delivering high-quality, low-energy housing at scale.

According to the Passivhaus Trust, Barratt is now the first volume housebuilder in the UK to make Passivhaus its standard for an entire region. The initial phase will see 728 Passivhaus homes constructed across several London boroughs. Importantly, Barratt has confirmed that these homes will not be “one-off pilot projects” but part of its standard delivery model for all future London developments.

This is not only a win for the environment, but also for residents. Passivhaus homes offer superior indoor air quality, stable temperatures year-round, and dramatically reduced energy bills.

Why Passivhaus?

The Passivhaus standard is globally recognised for its performance-based approach to energy efficiency. At its core are five key principles:

  1. High levels of insulation
  2. Airtight building fabric
  3. High-performance glazing and windows
  4. Thermal bridge-free construction
  5. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)

Homes built to this standard typically use up to 90% less heating energy than standard UK housing, without compromising on comfort or architectural design.

Barratt’s embrace of this standard signals a shift in industry norms—and a growing need for proven, certified products that support low-energy performance.

Internorm Commercial: Supporting Scalable Low-Energy Housing

Internorm is no stranger to complex residential and commercial developments. Through our Internorm Commercial division, we offer specialist support for architects, developers, contractors, and specifiers involved in Passivhaus or low-energy construction.

Our approach includes:

  • Full technical specification support
  • Design and detailing assistance
  • Performance modelling
  • On-site installation, training, and support
  • Certified systems for new-build and retrofit applications

We understand the importance of early engagement, particularly on large-volume schemes. That’s why our team works closely with project stakeholders from concept through to completion, to ensure that glazing performance contributes positively to overall energy modelling and certification outcomes.

Explore some of our completed Passivhaus and low-energy projects—such as the Frenchay Park Road residential scheme and the award-winning Wilmcote House Retrofit—to see how Internorm Commercial delivers performance-led solutions across a range of building types.

A Turning Point for Sustainable Housing

Barratt’s announcement is a clear sign that Passivhaus is moving into the mainstream. With the Future Homes Standard on the horizon and growing market demand for energy-efficient homes, the need for high-performance, scalable, and aesthetically flexible components has never been greater.

Internorm’s KF 410—and our wider portfolio of Passivhaus-certified windows and doors—are ready to meet this challenge. As Barratt and other leading developers raise the bar for sustainability, Internorm remains a trusted partner in delivering performance, durability, and architectural freedom.

Want to discuss Passivhaus-certified glazing for your next project?

Contact the Intenorm Commercial team to speak with one of our technical consultants.

Vasilis Giannopoulos
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