Passivhaus-accredited Dovehouse Court almhouses development in Girton earns three national awards

Girton Town Charity is celebrating three national awards for its Passivhaus-accredited almshouses – and has been shortlisted for a further accolade.

The Dovehouse Court development won the Innovation For Living Award from the Almshouse Association, and there was further success in the British Homes Awards, where it was named the Later Living/Supported Living Design of the Year and earned the Judges’ Award for Sustainable Project of the Year, which were both presented to Mole Architects.

The first almshouses in the UK to fully conform to certified Passivhaus standards, Dovehouse Court was singled out for its sustainability credentials, while judges were impressed with its inspirational low-rise design in white bricks and colourful entrance doors built around a central communal courtyard.

The contemporary homes are designed for extended independent living for the over 55s and there is access to balconies or individual terraces on the ground floor, as well as landscaped communal gardens, an orchard and raised beds for flowers or vegetables.

Ann Bonnett, chair of Girton Town Charity said: “We are thrilled to have won these three awards against fierce competition from projects across the UK.

“It is very fitting that the inspirational design for Dovehouse Court – adhering to traditional almshouse layouts around a central courtyard to encourage social interaction and the state-of-the-art Passivhaus energy efficiency credentials – should be recognised in this way.

“I would like to thank my fellow trustees for their commitment to our initial vision and support throughout the project in addition to Mole Architects for creating the award-winning design, brought to fruition by our wonderful team of contractors.”

Dovehouse Court has also been shortlisted in the Social Housing Project Of The Year category in the Structural Timber Awards 2024, due to be announced later this autumn.

As reported, the charity recently hosted a visit there from the Duke of Gloucester, as vice royal patron of the Almshouse Association.