Author: Larry Tate

Springfield Meadows

Summary

Springfield Meadows is a project of 25 high-performance homes, which provide comfortable, low-carbon living. Residents benefit from diverse shared outdoor spaces, including a wildlife pond, an orchard and private gardens.

The design is guided by Passivhaus principles and constructed using the Biond system, an off-site manufactured, closed panel timber frame construction, insulated with Lime-Hemp and natural fibre insulation.

Springfield Meadows has been awarded One Planet Living Global Leader status by the leading environmental charity Bioregional.

Key information

Client and developer: Ssassy Springfield Ltd
Architects/designer and contractor: Greencore Construction Ltd
Location: Southmoor, Oxfordshire
Project type: New build
Number of homes: 25
Sector: 9 affordable homes, 16 private units
Key dates: 18 units complete, full completion estimate December 2021

Key facts/highlights

Zero embodied carbon
Net-zero energy in use
The second phase of the project locks up more carbon than it emits and generates more energy than it uses
Awarded One Planet Living Global Leader status by Bioregional
BBO Wildlife Trust partnership
Elimination of gas utilities to create an all-electric development
PV panels to make it net-zero energy

Energy performance

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): Net zero in operation
EPC rating: A
Space heating demand: 15 kWh/m²/yr (Passivhaus), with ongoing monitoring
Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE): 42.3 kWh/m²/yr
U values: 0.14 W/m²K (Passivhaus classic, uncertified)
Air tightness: 0.6 ACH (Passivhaus classic, uncertified)
MVHR installed
Direct electric heating, hot water and cooking
PV panels, are estimated to generate more electricity than used over the course of the year

Current monitoring is being undertaken with meter readings but the developers are about to put in place a detailed programme with a research institute to collect more detailed data.

The second phase of the project locks up more carbon than it emits and generates more energy than it uses. This is as a result of the lessons learned in the first phase of the project. Once carbon neutrality was achieved, the developers wanted to get to climate-positive.

Whole life carbon/resource efficiency

A whole life carbon assessment of the individual panels that the homes are constructed from has been undertaken, with a study of a ‘typical’ individual house being undertaken as of the writing of this case study, with results to be made available in the future.

Everything is designed so that it uses mechanical fixings that can be withdrawn to allow components to be reused or recycled.

Some houses incorporate smart technology (specified by the clients so there are various price points), with the aspects that link into energy control and energy monitoring considered for future projects.

The Bioregional One Planet Living sustainability framework was chosen as it considers the wider aspects of the development as well as carbon and energy.

Materials and construction

Minimising the use of high energy materials including concrete and steel
Use of cross-laminated timber for the upper floors (and any flat roofs). These lock-up 125kg of CO²e/m² of floor
Cellulose insulation in the roofs

The project makes use of Biond Building System, a closed panel timber frame that is insulated with Lime-Hemp and wood-fibre insulation. The external wall panels lock up 32kg of CO²e/m² per wall. The following link is the output from a Bath University Research project on the system.

https://www.biond.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/biond_laymans-guide.pdf

EV charging

Each dwelling has a provision for two EV charging units.

Access to green space and amenities

Over an acre of shared space including a wildlife pond and an orchard.

Nature and biodiviersity

Developers worked with Berkshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Wildlife Trusts to design the public open spaces and all landscaping for biodiversity gain. This is part of the One Planet Living action plan that arose out of considerations for the nature and biodiversity on the site. The BBO WIldlife Trust advised on the design phase and are carrying out monitoring for the next 5 years.

Scalability/buildability

The panelised Biond system is pre-fabricated and lends itself to fast onsite construction at any chosen scale. For a normal house, erection on site can be carried out within a few days, with the aim to deliver a weather-tight superstructure in three weeks.

Further links and information

Case study kindly funded by MCS Charitable Foundation

Tags MMC, Net Zero

Case Study

Fen Road and Ditton Fields

Summary

Pollard Thomas Edwards has developed designs for Cambridge Investment Partnership to build 18 Passivhaus certified homes that are targeting net zero. These are spread across two small sites located within the city’s suburban fringe and both sites will be 100% affordable rent.

To optimise the designs, a range of flexible typologies were required, which have given a mix of 2 and 3-bed family homes including 2 homes specifically designed for wheelchair users. The designs use offsite timber frame construction and a kit of parts approach, resulting in the intelligent replication of components across each development.

Key information

Client: Cambridge Investment Partnership
Developer: Cambridge Investment Partnership
Architects: Pollard Thomas Edwards
Location: Cambridge
Engineers/consultants: Pollard Thomas Edwards (sustainability), WARM (Passivhaus certifiers)
Project type: New-build
Number of homes: 18
Sector: Social housing
Key dates: 2020 planning application, completion 2022

Key facts/highlights

The projects are the first part of a pilot of Passivhaus low-carbon homes by the city
These have helped the council to build up confidence in delivering Passivhaus, which has now become a city-wide commitment for all new council housing
The homes will employ a range of low carbon and renewable technologies to target the net zero standard on-site
Pollard Thomas Edwards is currently providing architectural, sustainability and Passivhaus design services to RIBA planning stage 3

Energy performance

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target: 35 kWh/m²/yr (RIBA 2030)
Space heating demand: 15 kWh/m²/yr (Passivhaus)
Air tightness: 0.6 m³/h/m² @50Pa
U values: (Passivhaus classic)
- Roof – 0.1 W/m²K
- Floor – 0.115 W/m²K
- Walls – 0.1 W/m²K
Windows: U-0.85 W/m²K average, G-0.5
Air source heat pump > 3CoP
PV solar panels for electricity with additional thermal storage
WWHR (wastewater heat recovery)

Whole life carbon/resource efficiency

Embodied carbon target: 625kgCO²e/m² (RIBA 2030)
Responsibly sourced timber for timber frame panels (off-site construction)
Recycled newspaper insulation
Low flow fittings and fixtures – >100 l/p/d

Materials and construction

The construction method is pre-fabricated timber panels.

EV charging

EV charging is provided for both sites.

Thermal comfort and resilience

Use of CIBSE TM59, Design methodology for the assessment of overheating risk in homes.

Access to green space and amenities

All homes have a private garden and the developments are within a suburban area with services nearby.

Biodiveristy

Both projects retain existing mature trees and will provide a biodiversity uplift of 20%.

Safety and security

The scheme complies with secured by design.

Quotes

Tom Hill, Regional Director, Hill

“The aim of this pilot scheme is to allow us to explore the delivery of cost efficient low carbon housing for the future in terms of up-front building costs, ongoing maintenance costs for as the council and low bills for residents.”

Mike Todd-Jones, Executive Councillor for Housing at the Cambridhe Council and CIP board member

“These homes will be delivered to a very high standards of environmental sustainability in and will also contribute towards our goal to be a zero net carbon council in the coming years.”

Images

Case study kindly funded by MCS Charitable Foundation

Tags Net Zero, Passivhaus

Case Study

Virido

Summary

This exemplar zero carbon development combines the very best in design and environmental sustainability, achieving Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5.

Within the broader masterplan of Clay Farm, the scheme created 208 new homes arranged in a grid of quads surrounding a new park at the heart of the site. Pollard Thomas Edwards provided a full service from concept to completion, including a 1 year post occupancy study with BPE that demonstrated no performance gap.

Key information

Client: Hill
Developer: Hill
Architects: Pollard Thomas Edwards
Location: Cambridge
Engineers/consultants: AECOM (M&E and sustainability), Robert Myers Associates, Leeds Metropolitan University (BPE)
Project type: New-build
Number of homes: 208
Sector: Private housing
Key dates: Completed 2017
Construction cost: £46 million

Key facts/highlights

Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5
Zero carbon (operational)
Local timber frame SIPS and timber cladding
Low embodied carbon
PV solar panels
BPE study (co-heat test by Leeds Beckett University) demonstrated no performance gap with fabric performance
Designed with Passivhaus principles (uncertified)

Awards

Cambridge News Award 2017: Development of the Year
Evening Standard New Homes Award 2017: Eco-living
London Evening Standard New Homes Award 2015: Eco-living (Virido Concept House)
What House? Award 2015: Best Sustainable Development Silver (Virido Concept House)

Energy performance

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 70 kWh/m²/yr (RIBA 2025)
BREEAM (non-domestic): Excellent
Fabric Energy Efficiency (FEES): 39 and 46 kWh/m²/yr
Air tightness: 1.5 m³/h/m² @50Pa
U values:
- Roof – 0.1 W/m²K
- Floor – 0.1 W/m²K
- Walls – 0.12 W/m²K
- Door – 0.62 W/m²K
- Windows – 0.9 W/m²K average

Building performance evaluation has demonstrated that Virido has no thermal performance gap. Leeds Beckett University technicians measured the performance gap between the design and as-built heat transfer coefficient (the measure of how much energy is needed to heat the home). The Virido concept homes outperformed all the homes previously tested by the University and the performance gap measured was within the margin of error of the test, proving no measurable performance gap.

Concept house trial

In 2014, prior to the construction of Virido, the innovative technologies were trialled in a concept house. A family lived rent and bill free for 12 months in return for providing regular feedback on the performance of the sustainable initiatives featured in their homes.

The team worked with Leeds Beckett University to test and gather feedback in order to improve features in the wider Virido development to suit the family lifestyle. Through this heating bills were reduced by an average of 64% with some of the changes adopted including:

Adapting MVHR specifications to make them more effective and quieter
Modifying glazing to reduce the potential of overheating in summer
Including a clothes drying cupboard rather than the initial plan of a low-level heater with rapid ventilation

Whole life carbon/resource efficiency

Use of BES 6001, Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products
Timber frame construction
Rainwater harvesting
SuDS
External taps use non-potable water

Materials and construction

The homes feature SIPs timber frames with timber ‘Keboney’ cladding
Concrete foundations
Green biodiverse roofs throughout
Apartments on-site are concrete frame to support timber SIPs

EV charging

There is EV charging around the site.

Thermal comfort and resilience

SAP overheating test – passed
Glazing was modified after the initial 1 year BPE period to reduce the potential of overheating in summer

Access to green space and amenities

Every home has private outdoor space, in the form of balconies, gardens or roof terraces. In addition to this, there are communal gardens.

Safety and security

The scheme complies with secured by design.

Inclusive living

Adheres to part M of building regulations
Meets requirements of lifetime homes

Quotes

Laura Raynor, Virido concept house resident

“Our year spent at the Virido Concept House has been eye opening and when we move into our new home, we are looking forward to adapting it to incorporate some of the features that have been so helpful this year.
For example the drying cupboard, used for drying clothes, is incredibly handy to have when you’re doing lots of washing and uses much less electricity than a conventional drier. “We are also going to take full advantage of the garden and put in a vegetable patch, which has been great this year for showing the kids where their food comes from. It will definitely be sad to leave, but we’re keen to apply everything we’ve learnt to our new home which is close to our family and friends.”

Cllr Kevin Price, Executive Councillor for Housing, Cambridge City Council

“a shining example of how the public sector can lead excellence in quality design and sustainability”.

Further information and images

https://www.pollardthomasedwards.co.uk/projects/index/virido/

Case study kindly funded by MCS Charitable Foundation

Tags Net Zero

Case Study

Seaward Way

Summary

A scheme of 54 new zero carbon in operation homes, all with affordable rent for Somerset West & Taunton Council.

Due to start on site winter 2021, the project has ambitious energy performance targets, working towards the LETI definition of net zero. Low carbon technologies including PV panels, thermal storage with smart controllers and air source heat pumps will be installed with 100% of predicted total operational energy generated on site.

Key information

Client: Somerset West and Taunton Council
Developer: Somerset West and Taunton Council
Architects: Mitchells/APG Architecture
Contractor: Classic Builders (SW) Ltd
Location: Minehead, Somerset
Engineers/consultants: Hydrock/GCP/Expedite Engineers
Employers agents: Gates Consultants
Principal Designer: Gates Consultants
Clerk of Works: Gates Consultants
Project type: New-build
Number of homes: 54, ranging from 1-4 bed
Sector: Social Housing
Key dates: Pre-construction services agreement commences August 2021, Start on site Winter 2021, Completion Summer 2023

Key facts/highlights

Ambitious targets, using LETI definition of net zero
Zero operational carbon through the use of low carbon technologies
Monitoring data will be taken and analysed by University of Bath
High performance insulation and glazing
Air tightness <1 m³/h/m² @50Pa
Accessible units
All units are affordable rent

Energy performance

100% of predicted total operational energy generated on site via solar PV
Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target: <35 kWh/m²/yr (LETI)
Space heating demand target: <15 kWh/m²/yr (Passivhaus)
U value targets:
- Roof: <0.10 W/m²K
- Ground floor: <0.10 W/m²K
- Walls: <0.13 W/m²K
- Windows: 0.80 W/m²K (triple glazing), g-value 0.50-0.60
Air tightness target: <1 m³/h/m² @50Pa
Performance gap mitigated with employment of energy and carbon consultant

Monitoring data will be collected by the main contractor, with the University of Bath (Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering) who will collect and analyse the data.

Whole life carbon/resource efficiency

Embodied carbon target: <500kg CO²e/m²
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) required for all building elements
30% if materials are reused
50% of materials are reusable
Green Euro water labels for hot water outlets

The main contractor will undertake pre and post-construction review of the associated embodied carbon emissions related to the development through data gathering on-site. This will be verified by Hydrock, post-completion.

EPD will be used to verify embodied carbon content of at least the substructure, frame and upper ﬂoor, post-construction. Where available for other building components, this will be also be incorporated into the post-construction embodied carbon assessment.

Materials and construction

Porotherm block system, a modern clay brick with virtually dry construction
Permarock Brick Slip System
Permarock render cladding system RAL 9002
Aluminium balcony frame with aluminium floor and perforated balustrade RAL 5025
Natural roof slate
UPVC fascia, guttering and rainwater hoods in black

EV charging

All houses will have EV charging points, with up to 8 communal charging points for apartment units.

Thermal comfort and resilience

CIBSE AM11, compliant Dynamic Thermal Modelling to assess overheating following CIBSE TM59, Design methodology for the assessment of overheating risk in homes.

Access to green space and amenities

Balconies or terraces for all flats
Gardens for each house
Communal space with play area, landscaped bunds and attenuation pond
The site is 50m from the bus stop
Amenities including hospital and town centre between 5 and 15 minutes walking distance
Cycleway connection from the site

Inclusivity

3 units are designed to be wheelchair accessible.

Images

Case study kindly funded by MCS Charitable Foundation

Tags Affordable Housing, Net Zero

Case Study

Knights Park

Summary

Knights Park is a distinctive exemplar of a zero-carbon neighbourhood, providing 249 homes that extend the city in a sustainable way. The project is zero-carbon both in terms of its operational CO² and sitewide sustainable infrastructure. Part of Eddington, this is a truly “15-minute” walkable neighbourhood designed for a wide demographic.

The 249 homes have been designed fabric first and have ambitious energy targets, which meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5. With a raft of awards Knights Park is an impressive project with both sustainability and community in mind.

Key information

Client: Hill
Developer: Hill
Architects: Pollard Thomas Edwards and Alison Brooks Architects
Location: Cambridge
Engineers/consultants: DW Pointer and Partners (M&E), Bailey Garner (Sustainability)
Number of homes: 249
Sector: Private
Key dates: 2013-current
Construction cost: £52 million

Key Highlights

Zero carbon neighbourhood
15-minute walkable neighbourhood
Code for Sustainable Homes level 5
Fabric first approach with Passivhaus principles in mind (uncertified)
PV panels to provide 100% of regulated energy demand on-site
Blue-green infrastructure with district heating network and underground waste and recycling scheme
Community facilities

Awards

British Homes Awards 2020: Sustainable Development of the Year
Evening Standard New Homes Award 2020: Development of Outstanding Architectural – Merit
What House? Award 2019: Best Sustainable Development – Gold
What House? Award 2019: Best House – Silver (The Avenue House)
What House? Award 2019: Best Development – Silver
Evening Standard New Homes Award 2019: Eco-Living
Housing Design Project Award 2016
Housing Design Award 2021: Building with Nature

Energy performance

Space heating demand target: 39 and 46 kWh/m²/yr (FEES)
U values:
- Wall -0.1 W/m²K
- Roof – 0.1 W/m²K
- Floor – 0.115 W/m²K
- Windows: U-0.89 W/m²K, G-0.5
Air tightness: 3.50 m³/h/m² @50Pa
Designed to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5
Solar panels on east-facing roofs
Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR)
District heat network (CHP) and HIU
No thermal bridging at building junctions
500mm insulation in the roofs
300mm insulation in walls

Post-occupancy evaluation is planned for 2022/23, two years after completion. This is to review the scheme after some time in use. Resident surveys and interviews are planned to assess performance.

Whole life carbon/resource efficiency

15% (by volume) of construction materials to be from reused and recycled materials
Compliance with BES6001 (responsible sourcing of construction products)
Non-potable water supplied to each home for WC and irrigation

Materials and construction

Traditional construction methods
Use of low VOC paints and internal finishes

Thermal comfort and resilience

Use of CIBSE TM52 thermal comfort analysis test.

Community and accessibility

The overall masterplan is a fine-grained urban grid, built with high enough densities to encourage walking and social connections, with shared surfaces and car-free landscaped streets.

The plan includes a community centre, shops, hotel and a school all within the 15-minute walkable neighbourhood.

Quotes

David Birkbeck, Awards Director, Housing Design Awards 2021

“This summer we’ve seen many examples of climate change bringing tropical downpours. This is the first scheme in Britain with a strategy to make sure those cloudbursts don’t soak through under your front door. It’s an exemplar of designing for climate change with a 360 degree vision, such as its clever ventilation strategies so homes won’t overheat, now a real issue for nearly all new-builds. If I were buying a new home and worrying about climate change and how that would affect my comfort in my home, I’d be confident Knights Park wouldn’t leave me sweltering at night.”

Dr Gemma Jerome, Director, Building with Nature

“Our quality standards have been created to award projects at both the design and post-construction stages of development. Given that Knights Park is already built and occupied, meaning their planning application came forward before much of the current environmental and climate legislation was in place, we were super impressed with the high standard and holistic design approach evident across the scheme. Knights Park delivers a new neighbourhood which will act as a benchmark for development for years to come. Without compromising on the design quality of the built environment, Knights Park successfully demonstrates what is possible when a scheme positively responds to the climate and ecological emergency, meeting the needs of both the existing and future local communities.”

Further information and images

https://www.pollardthomasedwards.co.uk/projects/index/knights-park-eddington-north-west-cambridge/

https://alisonbrooksarchitects.com/project/knights-park-cambridge/

Image credit: Pollard Thomas Edwards and Alison Brooks Architects

Case study kindly funded by MCS Charitable Foundation

Tags fabric first, Net Zero

Case Study

Hurst Close MMC Demonstration Project

Summary

A demonstration project of two ‘flat pack’ homes built using a standardised platform kit-of-parts, delivered to site without the need for a heavy goods vehicle and assembled by a semi-skilled and diverse contractor team.

The 3-bedroom homes have been designed and built to achieve Passivhaus standards (uncertified), to be maintenance-free externally for thirty years, have low running costs and be available for social affordable rent.

The project was one of several small-scale projects commissioned by the London Borough of Ealing who were seeking to explore a range of MMC solutions.

Key information

Client: Ealing Council
Developer: Buildeco Offsite Architecture
Sub-contractor: B-Line
Architects: C.F.Moller Architects UK
Location: Northolt, Ealing
Engineers/consultants: Conisbee Consulting Engineers, XCO2 Energy, Butler & Young Associates (M&E)
Panel Manufacturer: GMOC
Project type: New-build
Number of homes: 2
Sector: Social Housing
Key dates: Handover – 16th November 2020

Key facts/highlights

Whole life carbon calculation of the building taken from the extraction of raw materials through to manufacturing, transport, assembly, operational use, end of life and disassembly
At the end of the buildings life, the system is reconfigurable to form other types of buildings
Fabric first approach with Passivhaus principles (not certified)
Reduced foundation costs, due to lighter building weight
Building assembled within ± 1mm
Site assembly by hand by a diverse, trained, multitask workforce
Delivered entirely in ‘white vans’, removing use for an articulated lorry
Achieved EPC ‘B’ without renewables, with renewables has the potential to achieve EPC ‘A’

Energy performance

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 53 kWh/m²/yr
EPC rating: B
Space heating demand: 22.7 kWh/m²/yr
Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE): 42.3 kWh/m²/yr
U values:
- Roof – 0.14 W/m²K
- Ground floor – 0.13 W/m²K
- Suspended floor – 0.16 W/m²K
- Walls – 0.14-0.15 W/m²K
- Door – 0.45 W/m²K
- Windows vary between 0.8-1.6 W/m²K, g-value 0.52-0.64
The tenant reported that to date their monthly bill in the coldest winter month was just £23
MVHR installed

Whole life carbon/resource efficiency

The buildings can be disassembled at end of life, with panels being able to be reused and reconfigured. It is designed in such a way it can be disassembled in reverse order
Use of MMC to minimise material waste
Carbon reductions of between 30-50% were achieved due to the lightweight structure requiring shallower foundations and fewer site deliveries
Only 2 skips were used for waste material throughout project delivery

Materials and construction

The UK manufactured panels of the build system are constructed from non-combustible materials, Light Gauge Steel (LGS) & Magnesium Oxide boards (MgO boards), and the assembly of the panels is within ± 1mm and the overhaul dimensions of the building when assembled is within ± 2mm in all directions.

Floor, walls, ceiling and roof panels are almost identical
The building components do not use any nuts, bolts or screws and the whole building is assembled using one tool
To assemble the full superstructure from ground level to roof took a total of 28 man-days in three phases

EV charging

There is provision for a 32amp single phase charging point.

Thermal comfort and resilience

CIBSE TM52 compliance
Energy-efficient lighting
Solar control glazing

Access to green space and amenities

120/150m² private rear gardens
250m to the local bus stop
Shops within walking distance

Safety and security

The scheme complies with Secured by Design.

Scalability/buildability

The system is a standardised and is scalable using Panelised MMC category 2 (Pre-Manufacturing – 2D primary structural systems), which can then be designed to any size.

Quotes

David Baptiste, Head of Housing Development, Ealing Council

“The project was completed to a high quality build and energy standard which is endorsed both by the development department and residents living in the accommodation.”

Robert Turner, Project Officer, Ealing Council

“The Quality of the finished produce was excellent – better than the other demonstration projects, it achieved the promised thermal performance, the buildings are contemporary and attractive, and they are constructed from materials and using techniques that will minimise long term maintenance.”

Further information and images

https://www.build-eco.com/sectors/current-project/

Case study kindly funded by MCS Charitable Foundation

Tags MMC, Off-site Construction

Case Study

Manor Farm

Summary

Construction of 7 new dwellings and conversion of a historic farmhouse into student/staff accommodation in the grounds of the University of Surrey, Guildford, due to start on-site September 2021.

The project is designed to be a model development to showcase the integration of smart home technology in both new buildings and retrofitting a complicated existing building, which is classed as a “local heritage asset”. The brief is to construct outstanding sustainable buildings which can adapt to students’ and staff’s changing needs and can be scaled up for future developments as required.

The materials chosen for the design have been done with consideration for sustainable sourcing as well as whole life carbon, as well as making use of solar panels and ground source heat pumps.

There will be an emphasis on ecology, arboriculture and archaeology due to the site’s proximity to a scheduled ancient monument.

Good Homes Alliance will revisit this dynamic case study through the build and monitoring process, updating with key information and and lessons learned throughout the journey.

Key information

Client: University of Surrey
Developer: My Global Home
Architects/designer and contractor: Jane Hepworth/Mark di Cecco (in house)
Location: University of Surrey, Guildford
Project type: New build and conversion of the existing building
Number of homes: 7 new builds, 2 dwellings within farmhouse
Sector: Student/staff accommodation.
Key dates: Due to start on site September 2021

Key facts and highlights

Smart home technology for new build and retrofit
Ambitious sustainability targets
Energy and heat provided by solar panels and ground source heat pumps
New builds make use of MMC
Scalable modules can be repeated vertically and horizontally
Standalone development with regard to services
Surface water drainage capture for use in irrigation
Landscaping to create a sense of place for study and meeting outdoors

Energy performance

Energy Use Intensity target (EUI): 35 kWh/m²/yr (LETI)
Space heating demand target: 15kWh/m²/yr (LETI)
SAP rating target: SAP 100
EPC rating target: EPC A
U-values
- Walls 0.13 W/m²K
- Floor 0.08 W/m²K
- Roof 0.10 W/m²K
- Doors 1.00 W/m²K
- Windows 0.08 W/m²K, G value: 0.5
Air tightness target 0.6 m³/hr/m² @50Pa
Thermal bridging target (Y value): 0.04W/m²K
MVHR with 90% efficiency for the new buildings. Currently not possible for the farmhouse conversion
Aiming for PV panels to supply 100% of the electricity demand, with a battery storage backup

Whole life carbon and resource efficiency

Embodied carbon target: 450kgCO²e/m²
Full whole life carbon assessment to be carried out once construction materials are confirmed
Surface water and water from roofs to be used for irrigation
Greywater harvesting for use in WC’s
Only WC water waste to be discharged into main drains, limiting demand on existing infrastructure
Ground source heat pump with SCoP rating 4
Appointment of sustainability/energy consultant with an ongoing monitoring role
Full Life Cycle Assessment will be made available on completion of the project

Materials and construction

The design has been awarded to two modular contractors to compare the methodologies as this is a demonstrator site.

The first method (one storey) is constructed using panels fitted together on-site – walls, floor and roof. This allows us to crane the complicated “Core” (circular sensory room in the centre) into place during assembly. This is an acoustically sensitive room, and its performance is critical.

The second method is a complete off-site construction approach, where the building (two storeys) will arrive in only 2 sections per floor.

Modular buildings will make use of timber sandwich panels between 360mm and 425mm thick and the exterior will be render, timber panelling or brick slips, with further materials being specified once planning is approved.

EV charging

This is a no-car zone (in line with the University of Surrey’s policy). 4 EV points will be provided off-site for disabled parking.

Thermal comfort and resilience

TM59 calculation to be carried out once building materials are finalised
Good Homes Alliance Overheating guidance assessment
Low e-glass
The design will incorporate window shades, cross ventilation and high ceilings
Heat recapture from bathrooms and kitchens and re-distributed to living rooms and bedrooms (via MVHR)
2050 London Heathrow weather file from Prometheus project will be used for assessment once materials have been confirmed (subject to planning approval)

Access to green space and amenities

The development is part of the wider university landscape, with access to green spaces, ponds, sports facilities
The university provides infrastructure to support students and staff with healthcare

Biodiversity and microclimate adaption

20.7% net gain in Bio-diversity quantified by Lindsay Carrington Ecological Services
Hard surfaces are porous to aid surface water drainage
Hard surfaces are kept to a minimum
High albedo rating, 8/10 rating or higher (using lighter colours and avoiding asphalt & concrete)
Surrounding grass is retained

Safety and security

A consultation meeting with the local Crime Prevention Officer is scheduled once planning approval has been secured
PV-powered external lighting

Scalability and buildability

Designed to be modular and scalable
Two blank external walls to allow additional units to be incorporated
Modular construction to allow each model to be mass-produced
Moveable internal walls to allow flexibility depending on annually changing occupants
Storage units are all modular and reconfigurable

Accessibility and space standards

A space standards matrix was completed as part of planning submission to ensure rooms comply with national standards
All ground floor apartments have been designed to be M4(3): Category 3: Wheelchair User Dwellings
All first-floor apartments have been designed to M4(2): Category 2: Accessible & Adaptable Dwellings
The ground floor of the farmhouse (conversion) has been designed to M4(1): Category 1: Visitable Dwellings

Quotes

Jane Hepworth, Head of Architecture, MyGlobalHome

“An exemplar project to showcase homes of the future; flexible, modular and smart, with an overriding emphasis on sustainable sourcing, construction and end of life recycling”.

Images

Case study kindly funded by MCS Charitable Foundation

Tags Net Zero

Case Study

Kiss House component based building system

Summary

Kiss House are developing a multi-storey single dwelling Passivhaus construction system, allowing the rapid on-site assembly of high specification homes using low-complexity, repeatable and clean methods.

The system is intended to be scalable and initially, a series of front runner projects will be constructed to prove the concept.

The Kiss House team were experts in best practice low energy construction. Their background was in bespoke one-off housing. Whilst bespoke house builds can lead the way in terms of innovation, they are generally highly inefficient as they require a project team to reinvent the wheel every time. They are like prototyping exercises, never really to be repeated. Kiss House wanted to find a vehicle to transfer all the lessons they’d learned.

Key information

Client: Various
Developer: Kiss House
Architect/Designer: Kiss House
Location: Multiple
Engineers/consultants: Kiss House
Project Type: New build
Number of homes: 1-10
Sector: Private Housing
Key dates: Handover – Start date late 2021

Key facts/highlights

Kiss House have created a building system that can:

Achieve Passivhaus certification
Be low in embodied energy
Work across different geographical locations.
Be configured into different housing typologies
Easy to erect
Use natural materials
component-based design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) flexibly off-site
Be predominantly timber and using waste and native timber
Displace petrochemical-based products eg steel and concrete
Eliminate wet trades
Significantly reduce local distruption/traffic movements
Be measurable and adaptable
Enable a feedback loop for continual improvement and innovation
High embodied carbon materials are also excluded by design

Energy performance

Kiss House is using wall and floor sensors to monitor fabric performance and room sensors to monitor internal conditions. They will be collecting energy usage data to compare with predicted data. They are developing their own soft landings equivalent for this with a BPE partner.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI): Building EUI inclusive of building-mounted renewables as required to achieve Passivhaus Plus certification is anticipated to be < 10kWh/m²/yr
EPC rating target: A
Environmental Impact Rating target: A
Space heating demand: As this project is being designed to meet Passivhaus Plus in a variety of locations and orientations, it should be capable of delivering lower space heating demand than 15 kWh/m2/yr
Heat pump:5 kW PUHZ_H_Monobloc ASHP with a SCoP of 3.18 for DHW & 4.01 for space heating
Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency target (DFEE): 32 kWh/m²K
Dwelling Emission Rate target (DER): -5.79 kgCO2/m²/yr (Net Zero Carbon)
U values: Area weighted U-value of opaque elements targeting 0.11 W/m²K
Air tightness: High performance triple glazing with Air tightness < 0.6 ACH @ 50 Pa (equivalent to ≈0.7 m³/h/m² @ 50 Pa)
PV will be sized to achieve Passivhaus Plus so will vary with location

Whole life carbon/resource efficiency

Kiss House uses product design industry CAD modelling technologies to develop the construction system in high granular detail that is constructed using off-site manufacture as a system of non-volumetric building materials. This reduces waste and allows high-density transportation.

Material and process embodied carbon information is embedded in the building model, giving full transparency of carbon values for all components used in the construction system and allowing targeted component development to reduce environmental impact. High embodied carbon materials are also excluded by design.

Stages A1 to A3 ( from BS EN 15978) Embodied carbon data are embedded into product data to enable fast analysis of component level carbon.

Thermal comfort and resilience

Passivhaus PHPP frequency of overheating checks
CIBSE TM59 design methodology for the avoidance of overheating in homes

Healthy and non toxic materials

Kiss House is pursuing WELL certification.

International WELL Building Institute announced plans to enter the single-family home market in May this year. They have created a panel of experts to collaborate on establishing the standard and Kiss House anticipates adopting the standard as soon as it becomes available.

Scalability/buildability

The construction system allows a majority of building assembly to occur off-site
Highly detailed models enable precise purchasing of materials, reducing waste
The construction system is process specific and site activities are defined as part of the system
On-site activities are repeatable and building-agnostic (i.e. the processes on site are the same whatever the building format or size).
One guiding principle is to always exceed minimal space requirements
Adaptability is inherent in the system due to non-load-bearing walls and easily accessible services

Quotes

Mike Jacob, Director of Product and Innovation, Kiss House

“We realised that to develop new product innovations we would have to engage in radical collaboration as a team; with academia and research institutions and with specialist skills and expertise within the wider industry.
It has been a steep learning curve for the last three years, we have evolved hugely as we’ve begun to understand and harness the power of product innovation and to decarbonise construction in our attempt to respond to the need for better housing.
Ultimately, we realised that the only way to achieve our goals and help change housing was to develop a new building.”

Further information and images

https://www.kisshouse.co.uk/

Case study kindly funded by MCS Charitable Foundation

Tags MMC, Off-site Construction

Case Study

Connell Gardens

Summary

Wondrwall’s net-zero home solution aims to decarbonise houses to make sustainable, net zero homes and change the way that people use their energy.

Wondrwall and Keepmoat partnered to deliver a trial of the Connell Gardens Development as part of Manchester City Council’s regeneration plan for the Gorton area.

5 three-bedroom homes were built with improved fabric and incorporating the Wondrwall solutions with dual-aspect PV solar, hybrid inverter & battery storage, and home automation.

Gas based heating and hot water were specified to minimise risk to the tenants should there be a performance gap, however, the case study indicated that AI-powered, all-electric, net-zero homes using Wondrwall technology are achievable with minimal incremental build cost and low energy bills for the occupier.

Key information

Project team: Manchester City Council and Keepmoat
Location: West Gorton, Manchester
Project type: New build
Number of homes: 5
Sector: Affordable housing
Key dates: Completed February 2020

Key facts/highlights

Dual aspect solar PV, with hybrid inverter and battery
Light switches monitoring temperature, humidity, power, motion, luminosity and sound
Network of 100+ sensors to monitor habitual patterns
Plotting the optimal running of the home using machine learning and predictive modelling
Maximisation of renewable and off-peak energy.
Home automation, including lighting, heating, security, safety and entertainment
Home automation, including lighting, heating, security, safety and entertainment
Home automation controlled through Amazon Alexa and the Wondrwall app

Energy performance

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target- 2185 kWh/yr (31 kWh/m2/yr)
Energy Use Intensity (EUI): 32 kWh/m²/yr, below LETI net zero definition
EPC rating: A
Annual PV generation target – 2148 kWh/yr
Annual PV generation monitoring result – 2357 kWh/yr
Improved wall insulation at 0.24 W/m2K from Keepmoat standard building typology of 0.28 W/m2K
Annual energy cost reduction of £456 (88%)

Whole life carbon/resource efficiency

The homes have an annual carbon reduction of 884kg (based on typical Keepmoat homes in the development).

Materials and construction

The houses are a typical brick and block construction. The aim of the demonstrator project was to highlight the effectiveness of the Wondrwall system with significant reductions in carbon emissions and especially in the running costs for the tenants without having to make deep and costly changes to the design of the homes.

Access to green space and amenities

Each house has a private garden.

Quotes

Cllr Suzanne Richards, Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration at Manchester City Council

“To retrofit all our homes and ensure that our new build homes are going to be zero carbon by 2038. It means that we really have to start doing things right now. That’s why I’m really pleased to be at this development in West Gorton where they’re using smart technology to make the home low carbon and deal with some of the challenges that we’re going to be facing in the future so we can get homes down to zero carbon.”