Foleshill Health Centre leads the way for low energy health facilities
In its first year, the Passivhaus Foleshill Health Centre in the UK experienced a 78% reduction of energy use compared to that of a traditionally constructed building.
It has been calculated that over 25 years, the cost of owning the asset would be 40% less than a code standard facility. This is inclusive of capital and renewal, operations and maintenance. Although capital cost was higher, the operational cost of the asset so much lower that the payback period is around 7.5 years. Studies by the World Economic Forum on the value of the ‘green premium’ in green real estate have shown that green certifications yield a rent premium of 6.0% and a sales premium of 7.6%.
Read the case study below to learn more about Foleshill’s remarkable Passivhaus health facility.
Foleshill Health Centre: Case Study
The Foleshill Health Centre has been a remarkable success in the UK, demonstrating the potential of the Passivhaus Standard in healthcare settings.
A Pioneering Healthcare Facility
Opening its doors to patients in August 2021, Foleshill Health Centre is the UK's first Passivhaus-certified healthcare facility. This 619m² building serving up to 10,000 patients in inner-city Coventry represents a significant milestone in sustainable healthcare design. The £3.3 million project was developed through a partnership between the Department of Health and Social Care-owned Community Health Partnerships (CHP) and NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). It features five consulting rooms, two treatment rooms, offices, a reception area, and a waiting room, all designed to provide high-quality care in an ultra-energy-efficient environment.
Innovative Construction Approach
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Foleshill Health Centre is its construction method. The building was assembled using 14 specially designed Portakabin modules, manufactured to the Passivhaus Standard. This approach, which aligns with the principles outlined in the UK Government's Construction Playbook, showcases the potential of modern methods of construction in creating sustainable healthcare facilities.
The modular construction allowed for precise control over every aspect of the project, resulting in a construction process that was not only highly efficient but also significantly faster than traditional methods. The entire building was completed in just 10 months, becoming watertight three days after the modules were transported to the site.
Passivhaus Features and Energy Performance
The Foleshill Health Centre incorporates a range of Passivhaus features that contribute to its exceptional energy performance:
Highly insulated structure, exceeding Building Regulations fabric insulation values by about 40%
Exceptional airtightness, with a leakage rate equivalent to a hole the size of a golf ball across the entire building
Triple-glazed windows with the option to open if required
100% fresh air circulation through a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery
Air source heat pumps connected to small radiators for efficient heating
Photovoltaic panels on the roof for on-site electricity generation
Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout
Brise soleil shading to reduce solar gain in summer
These features have resulted in remarkable energy performance. In its first year of operation (August 2021 to July 2022), the building consumed just 26,291 kWh, equivalent to 42 kWh/m² GIA. This is a 78% lower energy use than a traditionally constructed building.
Long-term Financial Benefits
The Passivhaus design of Foleshill Health Centre delivers not only environmental but also financial benefits. Despite a higher initial capital cost, operational savings are substantial:
Annual energy cost savings of over £50,000 compared to a conventional health centre
Projected 40% lower cost of ownership over 25 years, including capital, renewal, operations, and maintenance costs
Estimated payback period of approximately 7.5 years for the additional upfront investment
AECOM (infrastructure consultants for Foleshill Health Centre) carried out this 25 year whole life cost analysis.
Impact and Future Potential
The Foleshill Health Centre has garnered significant attention within the healthcare sector and beyond as a flagship project for the Green NHS initiative. Having won or been highly commended in 14 awards since its opening, it serves as a proof of concept for future healthcare developments. As the NHS aims to become the world's first net-zero national health service, projects like Foleshill provide a blueprint for achieving their goal. The success of this project demonstrates the potential for Passivhaus design across the entire healthcare estate, significantly reducing carbon emission in the sector.
Certificates
Passivhaus Classic, awarded October 2021
BREEAM Excellent with Innovation credit for exemplary energy performance.
Current EPC A rating: 12, close to net zero.
An EPC rating of 0 is possible with additional roof mounted PV panels.
SOURCES AND Case Studies
Foleshill Health Centre article on Community Health Partnerships’ website
CREDITS
Foleshill Health Centre has won or been highly commended in 14 awards since it opened in August 2021.
Foleshill Health Centre NHS Partners: NHS Coventry and Warwickshire with Coventry and Rugby GP Alliance.
Delivery partners: Community Health Partnerships, Portakabin (Main contractor), Tooley Foster Architects (Passivhaus experts), AECOM infrastructure consultants and Arden Estate Partnerships Limited (development management part of gbpartnerships).