A FIRM supplying “green” building materials launched a new construction project at a ceremony to mark its success in the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

Directors of Green Building Store received the top award from Dr Ingrid Roscoe, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, at the firm’s offices and workshops at Bolster Moor, Golcar.

Later, guests including Kirklees Mayor Clr Julie Stewart-Turner and Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford, visited a housing project undertaken by Green Building Store’s construction division for private clients in Denby Dale.

The development, using the Passivhaus construction system, will save up to 90% in heating bills for its occupants – with most of the warmth generated from the sun through windows, the occupants’ own body heat, cooking and showering.

The three-bed detached house is being built to a tight budget of £140,000 and aims to be an exemplar of how Passivhaus construction can be achieved by a small, skilled construction team.

Passivhaus design was first developed in Germany about 20 years ago. It is popular in continental Europe, but is still largely unknown in the UK.

Passivhaus design relies on a simple “tea cosy” effect of maximising the use of super insulation and stringent airtightness. By combining this with solar heating and mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems, Passivhaus design can create healthy and comfortable buildings that require minimal heating.

Green Building Store, which has 30 employees, won its Queen’s Award in the category for sustainable development. The award recognises the role played by the firm in developing the market for sustainable building products in the UK and its “pioneering approach to sustainability”.

In addition to its new Passivhaus range, the company has pioneered sustainable practices in window manufacture with its Ecoplus range of timber windows and doors – made at its Heath House Mill workshops. It is also a leading provider of water-saving products.

As well as visiting the Denby Dale site, guests saw a film clip of the construction work and a DVD aimed at explaining the building techniques.

Bill Butcher, Green Building Store director and project leader for the Denby Dale Passivhaus, said: “Receiving our Queen’s Award this year has been an enormous boost to the company and has helped us in our efforts to promote ultra efficient Passivhaus design to the UK construction industry.

“We are delighted to be celebrating our Queen’s Award and the official launch of the Denby Dale Passivhaus project in West Yorkshire.”