Willohaus

Willohaus is a 100-home affordable housing development in Salford and one of the largest certified Passivhaus residential schemes in the North West. Located within the emerging Adelphi Village neighbourhood and delivered as part of the wider Crescent Salford regeneration, the project demonstrates how rigorous environmental performance standards can be successfully integrated into mainstream urban housing.

Designed for Salix Homes, Willohaus provides a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments across social and affordable rent tenures, creating high-quality, low-energy homes that support resident wellbeing while addressing housing need.
 

A benchmark for low-energy housing

As the first completed residential building within Adelphi Village, Willohaus establishes an important benchmark for future phases of development. The project was designed to meet the Passivhaus Classic standard, applying a fabric-first approach that significantly reduces energy demand while maintaining comfortable internal temperatures and excellent indoor air quality throughout the year.

Achieving certification required close collaboration across the design and construction team, with particular attention given to airtightness, thermal bridging and construction quality. Through detailed coordination and rigorous on-site testing, the completed building delivers verified performance rather than predicted outcomes.

The scheme builds upon lessons learned through Buttress' delivery of Greenhaus, further demonstrating how Passivhaus principles can be applied at greater scale while maintaining affordability and long-term value.

Willohaus places resident comfort, health and accessibility at the centre of its design. The development comprises 100 apartments, including four fully accessible ground-floor homes, supported by high-quality amenity provision with secure communal outdoor green space, accessible parking bays and visitor cycle spaces. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems provide a constant supply of fresh filtered air, while highly insulated building envelopes create stable and comfortable living environments. Secure storage for 89 bicycles encourages active travel, supporting a low-car lifestyle and contributing to the wider sustainability ambitions of the Crescent Salford masterplan.

By combining affordable housing provision with certified environmental performance, the development demonstrates how housing can address both social and climate challenges simultaneously.

The project helps tackle fuel poverty through lower energy demand, supports healthier living conditions and creates durable homes designed for long-term performance. As local authorities and housing providers seek pathways to net zero, Willohaus offers a practical, scalable model for future residential development.

Today, with residents settled into their new homes, Willohaus stands as an example of how ambitious environmental targets, architectural quality and affordability can be successfully delivered together.