Products used: Manorial Mixture
Project location: Birmingham
Social housing provider: Midland Heart

The UK Government has set an ambitious target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with the construction industry playing a crucial role in this transformation. Central to this effort is the introduction of the Future Homes Standard (FHS), which will be implemented in 2025, setting new benchmarks for energy-efficient housing. In a groundbreaking move, Project 80, a pioneering development of 12 homes in Birmingham, has been designed to meet these future standards three years ahead of schedule. The project aims to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional newbuild homes, making it one of the first of its kind in the UK.

As a key partner in Project 80, we are proud to have supplied our Chesterton Factory's Memorial Mixture brick, a high-performance facing brick that supports the development's stringent environmental and energy efficiency goals. This red, multicoloured, wirecut brick is ideal for its durability and weather-resistant qualities, crucial for ensuring the homes' long-term insulation and frost resistance. With an F2 durability rating and a low water absorption rate of just 7%, this brick plays a pivotal role in reducing thermal bridging and meeting Project 80’s ambitious sustainability targets. Additionally, its low soluble salt content (S2) further enhances the development's environmental performance.

The bricks, manufactured at Ibstock’s Chesterton factory located just an hour from the Project 80 site, also address off-site environmental considerations by minimising transport emissions. This sustainable approach, combined with the brick’s aesthetic appeal, ensures that the homes maintain a traditional look without compromising on environmental performance.

Feedback from the project highlighted some installation challenges related to the use of 'full-fill' PIR insulation, which proved difficult for bricklayers due to small deviations in cavity width. This insight has prompted the exploration of alternatives, including the use of partial-fill 100mm PIR insulation boards and modifications to heating and ventilation systems. These adjustments underline the adaptability of Ibstock’s products and the critical role they play in future-proofing homes against upcoming regulatory standards.