In collaboration with Ashford Borough Council, ZED PODS has delivered Fortis House—an award-winning, zero-carbon, social-rented development built above an underused car park in Flood Zone 3A. As the UK’s first modular housing project of its kind, it’s a landmark for sustainable, design-led innovation.

Unmatched Sustainability
Comprising 23 modular homes, Fortis House meets NDSS standards and achieves SAP ratings of 100+. Each dual-aspect apartment features triple-glazing, solar PV, MVHR-integrated heat pumps, and durable cementitious cladding. Communal gardens enhance biodiversity, and with optional battery storage, the scheme is “zero-energy” ready. Annually, it’s expected to save 1,231 tonnes of CO₂ and 554 kilolitres of water—setting a new standard for energy-efficient housing.

Impactful Collaboration
Fortis House overcame significant planning and environmental challenges, including nutrient neutrality and flood resilience. A close partnership between ZED PODS, ABC, and regulatory bodies led to LPA and EA approvals and a £1.8m Homes England grant. Completed in just 13 months—twice as fast as traditional builds—the project remained on time, on budget, and incident-free. Its Benefit/Cost ratio of 4.95 delivers a net present social value of £29.3 million.

Digital Construction Leadership
This project marks Ashford Council’s first fully digital housing development, with ISO 19650-compliant BIM Level 3 integration and a “Golden Thread of Information” from design to delivery. Over 2,000 hours of BIM training were delivered to 36 local stakeholders, embedding digital skills and ensuring seamless long-term asset management.

Fortis House is more than housing—it’s a “Beacon of Hope” and a scalable blueprint for future-ready, zero-carbon living.
 

Social Media channels: LinkedIn: ZED PODS Ltd, Ashford Bourough Council

Credited Organisations: Dragon Heart Homes, AIMIS (BIM Consultant), Renelec Groundworks Limited, ICW Insurance Services Limited