Tai ar y Cyd is a rare thing in Wales. 23 social landlords have collaborated to create a standardised pattern book of next generation of high performing, timber based off-site manufactured zero carbon homes.
The home pattern book is being used by the member social landlords to build out their pipeline of new affordable homes. The project is bringing partners together to co design the best way of aggregating pipeline demand for new homes to unlock a strong, sustainable, and short local supply chains – increasingly using Welsh timber – that will build better homes and, over time, drive down costs.
Three Winning Facts:
- This project was built on firm foundations. Zero Carbon Homes—Zero Carbon Timber Solutions for Wales – Woodknowledge Wales made the case to standardise house designs: use natural materials like timber: and manufacture and install homes with a Welsh supply chain. This galvanised thinking and action.
- The project agreed a strong specification for new high performing home. It includes 2 performance standards – a carbon trajectory comprising a base line AECB/Carbon Lite and advanced Passivhaus Classic standard. This approach was described by timber frame manufacturers as being ‘on the right side of innovation’.
- Over 330 people joined the Tai ar y Cyd launch in Jan 2025. 11 of the 23 social landlords have immediately identified sites and schemes to deploy the pattern book comprising over 400 homes. Momentum is building strongly. These sites will form a Prototype phase to maximise learning and sharing.
