Sustainable Housing Projects 1, 2 & 3
Project 1
Private House, South Wales, UK 2002-(ongoing) Gross area: 450 sq.m
Key Services: Plot Finding, Brief Writing, Ecological Architecture, Energy/Environmental Expertise, Feasibility Studies, Full Architectural Service, Planning Applications, Sustainable Design.
Description: A low energy new build timber frame six bedroom house designed to benefit from passive solar energy and increased insulation. Other environmental measures include triple glazing, whole house heat recovery ventilation system, venting through solar chimneys, solar panels, sun space, ground source heat pump. Low embodied energy materials are envisaged generally, with external cladding in home grown cedar boarding and recycled brick, with a Welsh slate roof.
Project 2
Private House, Derbyshire, UK 1991-1997 Gross Area: 250 sq.m
Key Services: Brief Writing, Energy/Environmental Expertise, Full Architectural Service, Planning Applications, Production Information.
Description: Substantial extension, remodelling and refurbishment of an unattractive 1960’s bungalow, the finished building is sympathetic to the local vernacular of Victorian artisan’s cottages and is built out of brick and stone, but incorporating high levels of insulation to both new build and existing. Combined with Low E double glazing and a gas condensing boiler and completed in 1997, the project exceeded energy regulations current at that time.
Project 3
Private House, Bristol, UK 1998-2000 Gross Area: 250 sq.m
Key Services: Brief Writing, Ecological Architecture, Energy/Environmental Expertise, Planning Applications, Sustainable Design.
Description: This Earth Sheltered Dwelling was offered as a solution for a plot with a history of planning refusals. This underground and invisible proposal would have also produced a dwelling with a very low energy requirement, due to its high thermal mass and the heat store effect of the earth around and above it. Daylight levels exceeding normal requirements were achieved through a fully glazed sunspace in a sunken well, and overhead rooflights disguised as cold frames.