Rising from a site just 8.5 metres wide, The Narrowhouse is more than a building—it’s a bold vision for a sustainable future. Set to be the world’s tallest energy-positive residential building, this project transforms a disused brownfield plot into a global exemplar of clean energy, innovation, and inclusive urban living, right at the heart of Birmingham’s historic canal district.
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Its super-slender shape—once considered a constraint—has unlocked an unprecedented opportunity: a fully integrated Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) solar façade across the entire southwest elevation. This allows the building to generate more electricity than it consumes, with surplus energy distributed via a proposed local microgrid, powering neighbouring buildings and potentially lighting Gas Street itself once more.
This microgrid model could serve as a regional exemplar—a template for how decentralised energy sharing can support citywide net-zero ambitions, reduce energy bills, and build local resilience.
This isn’t just sustainability by design—it’s sustainability by necessity, guided by the site’s dimensions, orientation, and historical legacy.
The Narrowhouse stands adjacent to the Retort House, which once lit Birmingham’s streets with gas. Today, solar energy will take up that legacy. The Grade II-listed Gas Street Toll House will also be restored and repurposed into new living space, blending Birmingham’s industrial past with its net-zero future.
Wherever possible, materials from the original site will be reused, embracing circular economy principles and reducing embodied carbon.
Designed for Birmingham’s young professionals aged 18–35, The Narrowhouse delivers high-quality, purpose-built co-living that meets the lifestyle needs of the UK’s youngest major city.
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The development includes:
🏋️♂️ Gym and wellness spaces
🎥 Cinema and media room
🍽️ Bookable dining rooms for social and private events
💼 Spacious co-working zones
👩🍳 Shared kitchens that balance privacy and connection
This model fosters community while respecting independence—offering a home designed for modern urban life.
The building’s entrance will revitalise the quiet bottom end of Gas Street, bringing new life to an overlooked area. A new public staircase will connect the street to the canal towpath, improving access and helping reconnect the public with Birmingham’s iconic waterways.
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Positioned in Birmingham’s B1 postcode, The Narrowhouse offers immediate access to Grand Central, New Street Station, and the West Midlands Metro. With everything within walking distance, the scheme supports a car-free, active lifestyle rooted in sustainability.
More than a building, The Narrowhouse is a catalyst for change. It combines climate-conscious design, heritage integration, and community living—a beacon of what Birmingham’s future can be.
In every respect, The Narrowhouse reflects the ambitions set out in Birmingham’s Future City Framework 2045 and the West Midlands Net Zero Strategy—proving that local-led innovation can lead global change.
Visit Narrowhouse.co.uk to show your support
Date Started: TBC
Date Completed: TBC
Budget: TBC
Man hours: TBC
