Danish building principles take root in Sunderland housing project

VELUX Group and igloo Regeneration have announced a new partnership that will bring sustainable, health-focused housing to the UK city of Sunderland. Drawing inspiration from the award-winning Living Places prototype in Copenhagen, the collaboration aims to deliver around 50 new homes as part of Sunderland’s wider urban regeneration strategy.

Photo credit: VELUX Group

By State of Green | [email protected]

10 June 2025

White paper: Realising the untapped potential of the built environment

Discover State of Green’s whitepaper on energy renovations of buildings, and explore the benefits of energy renovations as well as the challenges. The publication covers governance frameworks and financial models, and features 12 cases by Danish companies demonstrating world-class energy renovations, innovative approaches and their results.

Discover the white paper

A new partnership between Danish window manufacturer VELUX and UK developer igloo Regeneration will bring the principles of sustainable Danish construction to life in the British city of Sunderland. The collaboration marks a tangible outcome of growing international interest in Denmark’s approach to low-carbon, high-quality housing.

At the heart of the project is Living Places – a prototype housing development in Copenhagen developed by VELUX in partnership with EFFEKT architects and Artelia engineers. Designed to demonstrate how homes can be built today with a drastically reduced carbon footprint and a healthier indoor climate, the concept has received international recognition, including a MIPIM Award for Best Residential Project in 2023.

Discover the case: Living Places: Building low-carbon and more sustainable buildings

Now, those principles will guide the construction of around 50 new homes in Sunderland, forming part of the city’s wider urban regeneration efforts. The homes, designed as a mix of townhouses, maisonettes and apartments, will be built on a brownfield site near City Hall and are scheduled for completion in 2027.

More than just homes

The project is part of the broader Riverside Sunderland masterplan, an ambitious redevelopment scheme led by Sunderland City Council that includes new housing, public spaces, commercial buildings, and infrastructure to support climate-friendly urban living.

“The plans to regenerate Sunderland are visionary in their ambition and scope and will create a vibrant city. We are delighted to be partnering with igloo to create beautiful new homes that will be built to the highest standards of sustainable construction and energy efficiency while also being fantastic to live in. We’ve demonstrated through the success of our Living Places prototype that homes can be built with a much lower than normal carbon footprint from inception to completion and that this concept can be scaled in a cost-effective way. Additionally, having a focus on good ventilation and plenty of daylight generates an optimal indoor climate that supports householders’ health and wellbeing.” Alex O’dell, Vice President for GB&I at VELUX

For igloo, Living Places offered a concrete example of how to rethink traditional housing models.

“We’re excited to be working with VELUX and Sunderland City Council to pilot the Living Places concept, bringing healthy and sustainable homes to Sunderland. This collaboration is about more than just building houses, it is about reimagining the way we live, creating spaces that support wellbeing, connect people to nature, and raise the bar for quality in new homes. Together, we’re demonstrating what’s possible for the future of housing.” Insi Khushnood, Development Director at igloo Regeneration

A connection formed in Copenhagen

The partnership between VELUX and igloo was sparked during a delegation trip to Denmark in 2023, co-organised by State of Green and Creative Denmark. Over the course of a week, UK city planners, developers and decision-makers visited sustainable buildings and urban areas across Copenhagen. One of the stops was the Living Places exhibition, which left a lasting impression on the igloo team and played a key role in shaping the collaboration that has since followed.

Danish building expertise in action

Denmark has long been recognised for its leadership in sustainable architecture and urban development. Combining energy efficiency, indoor climate and liveability, Danish solutions offer practical examples of how the built environment can play a role in meeting climate goals. The Living Places concept is one such example, showcasing how new homes can be built with 75% lower embodied carbon than current standards, while also improving the quality of life for residents.