Living Places

Living Places Sunderland is a pioneering low‑carbon neighbourhood developed in partnership between Sunderland City Council , VELUX  and igloo, bringing the globally recognised Living Places concept to the UK for the first time. Rooted in healthy building principles and regenerative  design, the project aims to transform how homes are built, lived in, and  maintained — creating places that are better for both people and the planet.
 
Drawing on insights from the award‑winning Living Places Copenhagen  prototype, the Sunderland scheme applies a modular, scalable construction  system that prioritises daylight, natural ventilation, indoor air quality,  thermal comfort, and strong connections to nature. The project forms part of  the wider Riverside Sunderland masterplan and contributes to the city’s  ambition to deliver exemplary sustainable housing as it moves toward net‑zero.
 
Living Places Sunderland will also operate as a living lab, enabling VELUX,  HICSA and industry partners to test new materials, construction methods and  smart technologies, helping shape the future of UK housing.
 
“This project aims to show how low carbon housing that is regenerative for  the planet can be built using existing technologies — and in a way that does  not incur any additional cost.” (Living Places brochure)

Part  of the Riverside, Sunderland development.

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