Hill Street House

Working in partnership with Linc Cymru and Newport City Council, ZED PODS has designed & built twelve high enegy-efficent homes as part of the Phase 2 Homelessness Programme on part of a car park in the centre of Newport.

The Hill Street House represents a pioneering initiative in Newport, offering ultra-low-energy, zero-operational carbon social housing for individuals residing in temporary accommodations. Supported by the Welsh Government Phase 2 Homelessness grant, this project is one of the highest levels of energy performances within social housing sector built in line with Welsh Government's Decarbonisation Programme.

The modules were built in a UK factory and transported to the site and installed in 3 days, reducing site works and disruption to the local community through reduce vehicle movements, traffic congestions noise and dust. The form of construction meant that the buildings could be completed more than 80% offsite.

We operate a strict and robust Sustainable Policy which encapsulates all activities from material choices to renewable energy generation and energy efficiency. Using non-toxic materials, no urea-based insulation systems, low VOC paints and adhesives and breathing wall construction. Fabric first and operation efficiency is at the heart of this project.

Hill Street House
Ty Stryd y Bryn

A 100% social rent, two storey building on an existing car park

ZED PODS was chosen by Linc Cymru Housing Association based on our superior energy performance measures to help them design and build an ultra-low carbon and low energy consumption housing scheme, which was funded by the Welsh Government. These 12 low- carbon, high quality, affordable homes were built on an underutilised car park at Hill Street for people previously living in temporary accommodation (TA) in Newport. It is one of the highest levels of energy performances in social housing in the UK, built in line with Welsh Government Decarbonisation Programme.

Project Information

Client: Linc Cymru Housing Association and Newport City Council

Location: Hill Street House, Newport, NP20 1LZ

Building Solution: Permanent

Scope of works: Full Turnkey Service (RIBA Stage 0 – 7)

Status: Construction Complete

Project Team

Linc Cymru

Housing Association

ZED PODS Ltd

Principal Designer

Principal Constractor

The Prince described the PODS as "incredible". Sam Lewis, who has lived in the Hill Street House for nine months and who invited Prince William in. She said: "It was an amazing experience. He asked me about the flat and how I got into this situation. I was really nervous beforehand and I felt really relaxed. They wouldn't even tell us that he was coming. When they told me I couldn't believe it. This development has changed my life."

Sam Lewis

Hill Street House Resident

Unique Project

The UK’s first 100% affordable, zero carbon in operation scheme, sits atop a steel podium with parking facilities underneath.

The development, designed by our inhouse architects, consists of a two-storey terraced row of 12 individually contained dwellings designed for single tenant occupation.

Built under Wales Government’s Permitted Development with retrospective planning to expedite new build homes during the pandemic and was the first scheme which was completed unlocking the draw down of the Gov funding. The development of ultra-low carbon housing, the first of its kind for the region, celebrates the site’s heritage while providing top- quality accommodation, akin to a modern apartment, available for social rent.

Challenges

Hill Street is a steeply sloping site with narrow access, most modular providers will consider this site unsuitable.

HRH Visit -
The ‘Homewards’ Program

“Hill Street House” as one of the exemplar projects in Newport has been visited by HRH Prince William in late June 2023 for lunching his “Homewards” program.

The Offsite MMC Solution

We developed innovative logistics strategy, lifting plan, and module design to make this site viable.

©ZED-PODS-Limited_www.zedpods.com_Hill-Street-House-Park-Square-Entrance.jpg

Key Innovation

Our innovations followed seven WFGA (Well-being of Future Generation Wales Act 2015) goals with focus on CO2, Capital, and Energy.

The development met all the ‘MUST’ building development principle (Minimize, Use, Substitute, and Treat). HRH Prince William visited the scheme as part of Homewards Initiative aimed at ending homelessness. The scheme, which was showcased by the BBC One Show, is unique due to: