Woodend of Glassel: The Story Behind Our First Development
Mature trees, red squirrels and the plot I'd pick for myself. Director Clare Booth on our Woodend of Glassel Passivhaus development. [2 Min Read Time]
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Scotland's New Passivhaus-inspired Building Standard: What it Means For You
Read Time: 5 minutes
Author. Clare Booth
Director
Author. Clare Booth
Director
Read Time: 5 minutes
•
Scotland is planning a new Passivhaus-inspired building standard for all new homes. Here's what it means for you.
Scotland is changing the way new homes are built. The Scottish Government is working on a new national building standard, inspired by Passivhaus, the world's leading standard for comfortable, low-energy homes.
It's called the Scottish Passivhaus Equivalent. Right now, the government wants to hear what people think, and anyone can respond by 16 October 2026.
Here's what you need to know, in plain English.
First, what is Passivhaus?
Passivhaus is a low-energy building standard developed in Germany in the 1990s. More than 60,000 buildings around the world have been built to the Passivhaus Standard, from the cold of Canada to the heat of Australia.
A Passivhaus is designed to need very little heating or cooling. There are eight key principles behind it.
5 Building Principles:
- Effective insulation: To keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer
- Airtightness: A draught-free structure, so warm air doesn't leak out
- Controlled, efficient ventilation: Fresh, filtered air all day and night, while holding on to the heat
- Minimised thermal bridging: No cold spots or weak points where heat can escape, such as around windows, doors and joins
- High-performing windows: Triple-glazed and positioned to make the most of the sun
3 Principles of Approach:
- Clear performance and comfort targets: Every Passivhaus has to meet strict, measurable limits for energy use and comfort.
- Accurate energy modelling: Before it's built, every Passivhaus is modelled in specialist software called the Passivhaus Planning Package [PHPP]. It predicts how much energy the home will use, so the design can be tested and fine-tuned before work starts on site.
- Rigorous quality checks: Evidence is collected throughout design and construction, including drawings, photographs and airtightness test results. Every Passivhaus is then independently certified before it can carry the name. So it's not just a label. It's proof the home performs as designed.
What is the Scottish Passivhaus Equivalent?
It's a proposed set of rules that would make every new home in Scotland far more energy efficient.
Today, many new homes are designed to perform well on paper but use significantly more energy once people move in. The new standard aims to close that gap, so homes perform the way they were designed to.
If it goes ahead, Scotland could become the first country in the world to introduce a Passivhaus-equivalent building standard for all new homes.
What's being proposed?
In simple terms, the proposals would:
- Set clear energy targets: Homes would need to meet real, measurable limits on how much energy they use for heating.
- Accept Passivhaus design software: PHPP could be used to show a home meets the new rules.
- Check the build more carefully: A new compliance handbook would set out how homes are checked during design and construction, using an approach inspired by Passivhaus quality assurance.
- Recognise certified Passivhaus homes: A home certified to the Passivhaus Standard would count as fully meeting the new rules.
When will it happen?
The current timeline is:
- 16 October 2026: consultation closes
- Autumn 2027: guidance and approved methods published
- Autumn 2029: the new standard is expected to come into force in Scotland
It's not yet decided whether the standard will apply in full straight away, be phased in, or start as voluntary. The Passivhaus Trust, the UK's independent, non-profit organisation promoting Passivhaus, is arguing for it to be full and mandatory.
Why does this matter?
Modelling for the Passivhaus Trust shows the Passivhaus Standard cuts heating demand in homes by around 79%, compared with current Scottish building regulations.
With energy bills continuing to climb and Scotland aiming for net zero by 2045, this standard could mean warmer, healthier and cheaper-to-run homes for everyone.
Where Coldwells Build comes in
At Coldwells Build, we switched to building to the Passivhaus Standard in 2024. All of our joiners and builders have completed Passivhaus Tradesperson training.
Every home in the Coldwells Build Passivhaus range is designed and built to achieve independent Passivhaus certification.
The Archer Passivhaus • 3 Bedrooms
Our new Woodend of Glassel development near Banchory is North East Scotland's first Passivhaus development. The five homes are designed to meet the level Scotland is aiming for, years before the new standard comes in.
Woodend of Glassel Passivhaus Development, near Banchory, Aberdeenshire.
Have your say
The consultation is open to everyone: homeowners, self-builders, architects and builders. The more people respond, the stronger the final standard will be.
- Respond by 16 October 2026 via the Scottish Government consultation.
- Read the Passivhaus Trust's guide to responding here.
- Join the Trust's free "respond-a-long" webinar on Tuesday 13 October, 1 – 2pm.
If you're thinking of building a home and want it ready for the future, get in touch. We'd be happy to talk it through.
Author.
Clare Booth
• Director
A trained communicator, Clare co-founded Coldwells Build with the aim of improving consumer experience within the construction process. Working previously as a television director and journalist, she understands more than most, about the power of detail, organisation and timing.
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