South Yorks Sustainable Transformation: Local Businesses are the Future of Eco-Luxury Living

Terry Huggett Developments and MKM Sheffield North have completed an award winning Passivhaus in South Yorkshire, a first for the region. This project shows off the latest eco friendly building techniques and also how local businesses are leading the way in community transformation.

Innovation, local knowledge and environmental responsibility, these two companies are the future of eco-luxury living.

Eco-Luxury in South Yorks: The sort Trae Project

In the South Yorkshire countryside, the Sort Trae project is a stunning example of sustainable and high end design. This eco friendly development by HEM Architects and designed by Susi Clark and Marc Medland is a two storey house and a single storey studio. Built to Passivhaus standards, it has won a RIBA Yorkshire Award 2024. It blends into the landscape, showing what sustainable luxury housing can look like.

Passivhaus is a global standard for ultra low energy consumption and thermal performance. Sort Trae uses the thermal mass of the concrete retaining walls and south facing triple glazed windows to maintain internal temperatures. The project is 170m² and has full height windows that frame the views and also privacy. Despite its size and scale it costs just £3 per day to heat.

Inside the building is minimalist and functional. A central dry stone wall cleverly houses storage, keeping the living areas clear and calm. Sort Trae is a showcase of how good design can enhance both sustainability and style.

MKM Sheffield North’s role in Passivhaus excellence

Passivhaus certification requires attention to detail and specific products. MKM Sheffield North supplied the architect specified products for this project. They can supply the products for your unique eco project.

MKM Sheffield North supplied Steico Insulation, Pro-Clima Membranes, Tescon Tapes, Soudal SWS Expanding Foam, Contega Tapes and SmartPly OSB 18mm. These products are key to insulation, airtightness and energy efficiency in any Passivhaus project. LG Heat Rectory Systems were also installed for maximum heating and energy management.

Mathew Freer, Branch Director of MKM Sheffield North said:

“Working with Terry has been a pleasure. We’ve been working together since 2021 and it’s an honour to supply the architect specified products for these high end Passivhaus homes. This project shows what can be achieved when expertise and quality products come together.”

Freer’s comment highlights the importance of partnerships between industry expertise and specialist products to achieve sustainability goals.

Terry Huggett: Eco expert

Terry Huggett, owner of Terry Huggett Developments has been at the forefront of eco building in South Yorks for over 15 years. Over the last 10 years his focus has been on Passivhaus projects, a field that is all about energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Huggett’s passion for eco building started over 15 years ago and since then his company has completed 6 Passivhaus projects in the region.

Huggett stresses the importance of working with architects who are passionate about sustainability like those at Sheffield University. He acknowledges building a Passivhaus presents unique challenges like airtightness and high performance ventilation. But he believes the extra 15-20% cost is worth it for the long term savings and health benefits.

“A Passivhaus presents unique challenges like airtight construction and superior windows and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. The partnership with MKM Sheffield North is key to sourcing the high quality local products for these projects,” Huggett said.

As Passivhaus awareness grows in terms of environmental and economic benefits Huggett expects more clients and developers to go eco. He is also looking at EnerPHit, a system for retrofitting existing buildings to Passivhaus standards to open up more opportunities for sustainable development.

What makes Passivhaus design special?

If you’re considering eco building you need to understand the 5 core principles of Passivhaus design:

• No thermal bridging: Eliminates areas where heat can escape, reduces energy loss.
• Superior windows: Triple glazed windows maintain internal temperatures and let in natural light.
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR): Provides a constant flow of fresh air and retains heat.
• Quality insulation: Keeps warm in winter and cool in summer.
• Airtight construction: Prevents drafts and leaks, reduces energy consumption.

Huggett advises would be Passivhaus builders to focus on the long term benefits of these principles not just for energy efficiency but for the comfort and joy of living in a home like this.

South Yorks eco future

The Sort Trae project is just the start for Terry Huggett Developments. With a history of delivering high quality sustainable homes the company is well placed to continue to shape the eco future of South Yorkshire. As more people realise the value of low energy sustainable living the demand for Passivhaus projects will grow.

Huggett’s next projects will be new Passivhaus homes and EnerPHit retrofits so more people can experience the benefits of these low energy homes.

In the meantime MKM Sheffield North is building its reputation as the go to supplier of eco products. The branch’s ability to tailor to each project and its strong relationships with local builders makes it the leader in sustainable building across the region.

MKM Sheffield North: Building relationships, building communities

Founded in Hull in 1995 MKM has grown to become one of the UK’s largest independent building material suppliers. The company’s business model allows each branch to operate independently, stock and pricing tailored to their local area. This flexibility has been key to MKM’s ability to support complex projects like Sort Trae.

As well as their commitment to sustainable building MKM also support various community initiatives to further embed themselves in the communities they serve. With plans to open 10 more branches in the next 12 months MKM’s influence will be growing and their community focus will be in more places.

Sort Trae is a showcase of what can be achieved when local knowledge, design and quality products come together. As South Yorkshire develops partnerships like Terry Huggett Developments and MKM Sheffield North will be at the heart of the eco-luxury future.