St Petrocs
Supported Housing / Residential
Newquay, Cornwall
Bio Twin Wall Design and Manufacture, Pre-Insulated Timber Panels, Structural Timber Supply
This new supported housing scheme in Newquay forms part of a broader ambition to combine social value with long-term environmental responsibility. The goal was to provide high-quality temporary accommodation and wraparound support for local people experiencing homelessness. The development needed to be built to demanding low-carbon standards to minimise both upfront embodied emissions and long-term operational running costs, which is a crucial factor in supported housing provision.
Sydenhams Timber Engineering provided the precision-manufactured timber frame superstructure for the development. Partnering with the GRWN Group, we supplied pre-fabricated twin-wall panels insulated with UK-grown industrial hemp. This innovative Bio Twin Wall system created a super-insulated shell designed to Passive House principles.
By prioritising fabric performance and utilising advanced off-site manufacturing, we ensured a faster and more controlled installation on site. The use of bio-based materials significantly reduced upfront embodied carbon and construction waste while actively sequestering carbon directly within the structural fabric of the homes.
The first phase successfully delivers temporary accommodation for 16 individuals across two four-bedroom houses and eight one-bedroom apartments. The highly insulated twin-wall timber panels create a structural shell that requires very little heating or cooling.
Combined with an all-electric design and roof-mounted solar panels, the homes shield future residents and operators from fossil fuel price volatility. By integrating low-carbon construction methods with person-centred accommodation managed by St Petrocs, the project in Newquay sets a powerful benchmark for how supported housing can be delivered with both environmental and social responsibility at its core.