We are thrilled to announce that Goldfinch, the Passivhaus-certified art cafe we had the privilege of constructing, won two prestigious awards this year.
It’s the UK’s first Passivhaus-certified art café. Located in Westbury-on-Trym, this eco-conscious building combines creative spaces with cutting-edge energy-efficient design, including the installation of two state-of-the-art Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems. This system is key to maintaining optimal indoor air quality and energy efficiency, a hallmark of sustainable construction and central to the Passivhaus standard.
The MVHR system, specifically the Zehnder CAQ600 MVHR units used in Goldfinch, ensures a continuous supply of fresh air while recovering heat from outgoing air, significantly reducing the building’s energy consumption. Combined with other eco-friendly features like high-grade insulation, airtightness, and photovoltaic panels, Goldfinch sets a new benchmark for sustainable, high-performance buildings.
ASBP Judges Award 2024
We are proud to share that the innovative design of Goldfinch, created by architects Seb and Mark Finney, has been honoured with the ASBP Judges Award at the ASBP Healthy Buildings Conference and Expo. Competing against strong contenders such as the Houlton Secondary School and the East Ham Old Fire Station, Goldfinch stood out as the world’s first Passivhaus-certified art café—a testament to how architecture can blend sustainability, creativity, and well-being.
This award recognises the unique fusion of art space and environmental consciousness that Goldfinch represents. The café offers an inspiring environment for both adults and children to explore their creativity, while the building’s eco-friendly design ensures it meets the highest standards of comfort and energy efficiency.
Best Civic Project, Bristol Property Awards
We are also delighted to announce that Goldfinch has been awarded ‘Best Civic Development’ at the Bristol Property Awards 2023. This achievement underscores the collaborative spirit and dedication to excellence that powered the Goldfinch project from concept to completion. As the main contractor, Earthwise Construction is proud to have been a pivotal force behind this trailblazing project.
The judges praised Goldfinch for its innovative approach and successful partnership, particularly highlighting its construction to the stringent Passive House Classic standard. The building features Two Zehnder CAQ600 MVHR systems, designed to optimise indoor air quality while drastically reducing energy consumption. With a high level of insulation, airtight construction, and triple-glazed windows, the building’s energy needs are primarily met on-site through photovoltaic panels and an air source heat pump, making it a model of sustainable civic development.
We would like to extend our gratitude to all our partners, including Ecospheric for their sustainability expertise, and Build Collective for their outstanding engineering contributions.
Learn more about the award here: Bristol Property Awards Winners
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