AN eco start-up won two top honours at the National Best New Business Awards.

PassivPod, based in Lloyd Close, Hove, was named Construction Business of the Year.

It also scooped the Overall Winner award, beating competition from all other industries – and 68 other new companies – represented at the ceremony in London.

PassivPod is a modular zero-carbon building which can be used as holiday accommodation, classroom, garden, office or home.

It’s promoted as ‘an innovative green solution for leisure, learning and living.’

Technical Director Mark Pellant said: “We’re delighted to have won Construction Business of the Year and are especially proud to win such a highly competitive title as Overall Winner of the best new business nationally.

“Having worked as an architect specialising in sustainable design for the past two decades, it’s very encouraging to see the growing interest in sustainable construction and awareness of the problems associated with traditional construction practices.

“With three national awards under our belt in the last six months, we’re very positive about PassivPod’s continued success and excited for what the rest of 2018 brings.”

The pod-shaped building is powered by renewable energy, fabricated from natural materials and has a gentle visual impact that blends into the natural landscape with minimal environmental effect.

Company bosses say there is growing evidence that spending time in nature has positive psychological and physiological effects.

These can then be recreated in indoor environments rich in nature and nature-inspired features.

Commercial Director Clive Bonny said: “The construction industry needs much more focus on sustainability and environmental protection, and this national award supports our mission.

“The award also ensures awareness of our offer to sell shares in our business to the public via crowdfunding, in order to encourage wider ownership of healthy, zero carbon homes.”

Designed by Koru Architects, PassivPod began as a competition entry for the Sunday Times Eco-Haus Awards 2014 for which it was shortlisted.

It won the Innovation in Sustainable Accommodation Award at the 2017/2018 Corporate LiveWire Technology Awards.

The team is crowdfunding for the construction of a PassivPod showroom as an educational tool to demonstrate eco design and a sustainable lifestyle