The £8m trail-blazing Norwich Enterprise Centre is set to be the first commercial scheme to achieve both Passivhaus and Breeam Outstanding ratings.

As well as heightened energy performance, the centre will be as low in embodied carbon as possible by using natural materials, carried very short distances to the site.

The 21st century ‘almost nil carbon building’ will be built using a timber and glulam frame fitted with prefabricated straw and reed cladding panels.

Sustainable low carbon features include mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, triple-glazed windows, photovoltaic panels and solar heating.

Construction will start this summer. Morgan Sindall’s project team also includes designers Architype and BDP Engineers and Churchman Landscape Architects.