Barrowby Lodge isn’t just another new-build. It’s a 280m², five-bedroom home in Garforth, purposefully designed with Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) to deliver comfort, cut carbon emissions, and make the most of available resources. A basement was included to reduce external volume, allowing the property to remain compact without losing living space.
ICF Bondmor Ltd led the construction, combining our expertise in ICF methods with renewable energy systems and efficient design principles. The result is a robust, low-impact home that keeps energy use in check and looks to the future.
Building for the Future. Sustainable Methods and Materials.
During the contract period, ICF Bondmor installed insulated raft foundations, constructed an expansive 230m² of ICF superstructure walls, and placed 130m² of Structurally Insulated Panel roofing. The project also required 175m² of intermediate flooring, 23m² of loadbearing internal blockwork walls, and around 3 tonnes of structural steel. Completed in just six weeks (October to December 2021), the build achieved an impressive U-value of 0.15 in the walls and 0.14 in the roof, indicative of its superior thermal performance, exceeding Passivhaus standards.
Central to this approach was the reliance on high-performing materials: two different ready-mix concrete blends (one containing 50% Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag), structural insulated panels, expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks, and a range of recycled or low-carbon steel products. Each element underwent rigorous scrutiny in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to quantify its environmental impact; from production and transport to site operations and waste management.
Construction Lifecycle Analysis & Waste Report.
To ensure transparency and set a clear benchmark for best practice, a detailed Carbon & Waste report was produced for Barrowby Lodge, relying on data from One Click LCA. Over the course of the build, 183,419.4 kg of construction materials were used, resulting in total CO₂ emissions of roughly 190,252 kg CO2e. When expressed per square metre, the property earned a high-performing Rating A at approximately 175 kg CO2e/m2, substantially lower than conventional builds of this scale.
Equally noteworthy was the minimal waste generated on site. Out of the total materials used, only 1,167 kg ended up as waste, or about 0.64%. Of that fraction, 463 kg went to landfill, representing just 0.25% of overall material usage. This figure aligns with ICF Bondmor’s ongoing objective of keeping landfill contribution well below 1%. The rest of the waste was efficiently routed to recycling processes, underscoring a disciplined approach to resource management.
The carbon assessment took into account several life cycle stages, including production (A1-A3), transport (A4), site operations (A5), waste transport (C2), and waste processing (C3). While each phase carries a distinct footprint, Barrowby Lodge’s aggregate totals reflect a build carefully calibrated to reduce embodied carbon as much as practical. Reinforced concrete and steel remain indispensable to structural integrity, yet the use of partial substitutes like GGBS in cement, along with recycled steel rebar and structural sections, helped mitigate emissions significantly.
Operational Data. Real World Performance.
What transforms these construction efforts into a truly future-focused home is the property’s operational energy efficiency. In a measured period during January – December 2024, Barrowby Lodge used about 4,336.85 kWh of electricity. Approximately 2,593.99 kWh were drawn from the grid, incurring charges circa £249 at an average rate of £0.10 per kWh. At first glance, the usage may seem low for a 280m² home in a British climate, yet the on-site renewable system drastically shifts the equation.
Over that same period, Barrowby Lodge’s solar panels fed 1,518.16 kWh of surplus electricity back into the grid, recouping around £347 through a feed-in tariff of £0.23 per kWh. After factoring in a standing charge of £187, the net cost to the homeowner amounted to around £89, proving that the property’s high-performance building envelope, advanced insulation, and renewable energy setup can greatly offset conventional utility expenses, even in the coldest months.
This day-to-day efficiency also emerges in the home’s living experience. Thanks to the thermal mass and airtightness inherent in ICF walls, the occupant reports minimal need for full-blast heating. Under floor heating provides cosiness, while the mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system ensures steady fresh air circulation without significant heat loss. Such features allow Barrowby Lodge to align its operational carbon footprint with the sustainability principles embedded in its construction.
“I would have actually made money on my electricity this year if it hadn’t have been for the standing charge from the utility company!”
Energy Usage.
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Energy Returns.
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The data, though measured from January to December, actually covers only the first ten months (January to October). This is because the occupant made changes to the central heating system during that period, potentially affecting its performance. Given the limited use of the system, the client decided to downsize it altogether, aiming to further reduce both energy consumption and costs.
Data provided by Octopus Energy.
A Client’s Perspective. Realising the Vision.
For the project’s owner, choosing ICF Bondmor was driven by a wish to minimise waste, ensure robust insulation, and include a basement that reduced the home’s external footprint. As they put it, “Working with ICF Bondmor was a no-brainer. Once we signed the contract, everything was explained clearly, and the onsite team was brilliant to work with, always on time and thoroughly prepared. We can’t thank them enough for bringing our vision to life.”
Their experience shows how effective these choices have been, from ICF Bondmor’s precise approach to the warm and efficient lifestyle the property now provides. Barrowby Lodge highlights how sustainability can guide every decision without compromising comfort. Its construction, marked by minimal landfill waste, carefully chosen low-carbon cement mixes, and high insulation, points to a future where reducing embodied carbon is standard practice.
Meanwhile, the ongoing operational savings, aided by exporting surplus solar power, confirm that a well-sealed building envelope keeps saving money long after the final inspection. Barrowby Lodge demonstrates that when the right methods, materials, and mindset come together, the result is a modern home that’s kind to both its occupants and the environment.