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Code Level 6 house on an ordinary street |
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6 Jul 2010, 9:23 PM
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A Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) Level 6 House has been constructed at Mountsorrel in Leicestershire as part of a development of six properties. The development, designed by Stephen George and Partners includes five town houses at the front of the site facing the main road. The level 6 house employs a number of sustainable features and technologies in order to conserve energy and reduce its occupant's effects on the environment. Previously a timber framed post office and a number of residential buildings stood on the site. In the 1960s these buildings were demolished to enable the construction of a new library building. Recently the demolition and relocation of the library opened up the site to be developed once again for private housing.
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There were a number of site factors that influenced the design; The site falls within a Conservation
Area therefore all renewable technologies had to be satisfactorily incorporated into the design. Trees partially shade the rear of the site. Trees are located in a neighbouring garden and are therefore not easily removable.
Traditional materials and detailing were required and conditioned to the planning approval. Listed Buildings surround the site and therefore the development had to fit into the local vernacular. Planning restrictions stated that two parking spaces were required per house. Windows to south-east and south-west elevations were restricted by planning in order to limit overlooking a neighbouring garden.
A highly insulated timber frame envelope was designed to meet the thermal requirements of the code, whilst also utilising sustainable materials in the construction. The main heating and hot water system uses a ground source heat pump. This provides all the heating and hot water to the property. The property is heated through under-floor heating at ground floor level and oversized radiators at first floor.
The internal planning of the house is based on the limitations of the site. Issues from Lifetime Homes were factored into the design to allow the property to be adapted for future changes in occupation. Bedrooms and the wet room are located on the ground floor. Whilst the living, dining, utility and home office space is at first floor. This also allows access to the terrace from the living area. On-site electricity generation is necessary to provide all the electricity required by the dwelling. This had to cover all electricity use including pumps, lighting, cooking and occupational use.
A solar water heating unit is used to offset the hot water drawn from the main heating system. Due to the Photovoltaic installation on the south-east facing roof, a vertical system is used on the south-west facing gable wall.
The Ground floor U-Value is 0.15 Wm2K, Wall U-Value 0.13 Wm2K, Window & door U-Value 0.8-1 Wm2K, Thermal bridging Y-Factor 0.04, Roof U-Value 0.1 Wm2K, and Air tightness 1.6m3/hr.
The following is a list of criteria that the house had to satisfy in order to achieve Code Level 6 status;
Energy and carbon dioxide emissions - SAP calculations highlighted areas such as the dwelling emission rate for heating, hot water, lighting, cooking and appliances.
The heat loss parameter (thermal performance factored against floor area) had to be less than or equal to 0.8. To achieve this, a number of low or zero carbon technologies were employed.
Water use - Limit internal water use to 80 Litres / person / day through the use of water harvesting, grey water recycling, flow restrictors and a reduced size bath.
Responsible sourcing of materials - Specifying materials with a low environmental impact and low global warming impact rating. Sustainable drainage systems - Recycling of rainfall from roof and hard surfaces.
Provision of recycling facilities - The implementation of a site waste management plan during construction and provision of composting facilities.
Use of low global warming potential Insulants and ensuring nox emissions to be lower than 40mg/KwHr.
Lifetime Homes compliance - Usable outside garden terrace area. Excellent day-lighting standards providing natural light to living areas and the kitchen.
On-site management - Provision of a Home User G uide incorporating instructions on use of appliances and technologies; highlighting bus stops, local amenities and ensuring the coordination of supply chains and procurement and adherence to guidelines to ensure secure by design compliance.
Ecological site value enhancement - The provision of bat and bird boxes and the planting of native species.
The air permeability of the construction achieved was 1.6m3 at 50pa, therefore this required a Mechanical Ventilation system with heat recovery. This draws warm moist air out of the bathrooms and kitchens and through a heat exchange delivers warm fresh air to the bedrooms and living areas.
Useable outdoor space was required. Due to the lack of space on the site and the planning requirement for two car parking spaces, a terrace was constructed with green roof trays providing a bedding for local native planting and a decking space for the occupants of the house. Parking spaces and a recycling storage unit are located below the deck.
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| Positive review of this story |
dragonboard  |
20 Mar 2011, 9:34 AM |
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Cost?? Crucial issue is how much did it cost to build - is it viable
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