Each of the modules is designed with sustainability in mind and incorporates a range of issues that have enabled the entire project to achieve a code 5 in the CSH (Code for Sustainable Homes – national standard for sustainable homes).
However, this approach has emphasized several disadvantages. Firstly, the building of the homes has turned to be very time consuming and labour intensive in order to meet the requirements of the CSH.
As an example, the design of the two detached houses led to complications as the rear walls slope out and the flat roof has a 15° slope. These angles resulted in significant complication in terms of the junctions between floors, walls and roof. It also meant that steel had to be used as opposed to the preferred glulam beams. Furthermore, the detailing of junctions was occasionally more complicated in reality than represented in the drawings and this had resulted in the necessity of careful on-site solutions.
In addition, in order to achieve air permeability which was set as a target at the value of 3 cu m/h@50 pa close attention was given to sealing gaps. A considerable effort was undertaken in order to do this in the form of a team of three over three weeks which ensured all gaps around the windows linings and frames were sealed and all junctions were checked and sealed. This has resulted in inevitable time and cost implications (xvi).
On the other hand, this care has also led to improvements in terms of air permeability with tests showing that two of the modules have reached values of 2,57 and 2,17 cu m/h@50 pa (xvii).
However, this approach has emphasized several disadvantages. Firstly, the building of the homes has turned to be very time consuming and labour intensive in order to meet the requirements of the CSH.
As an example, the design of the two detached houses led to complications as the rear walls slope out and the flat roof has a 15° slope. These angles resulted in significant complication in terms of the junctions between floors, walls and roof. It also meant that steel had to be used as opposed to the preferred glulam beams. Furthermore, the detailing of junctions was occasionally more complicated in reality than represented in the drawings and this had resulted in the necessity of careful on-site solutions.
In addition, in order to achieve air permeability which was set as a target at the value of 3 cu m/h@50 pa close attention was given to sealing gaps. A considerable effort was undertaken in order to do this in the form of a team of three over three weeks which ensured all gaps around the windows linings and frames were sealed and all junctions were checked and sealed. This has resulted in inevitable time and cost implications (xvi).
On the other hand, this care has also led to improvements in terms of air permeability with tests showing that two of the modules have reached values of 2,57 and 2,17 cu m/h@50 pa (xvii).
Adaptability
Architecturally, the project uses a more traditional approach for the three terraced houses. These are immediately visible from the street and there is an obvious connection with the immediately adjacent buildings. The three units have pitched roofs, the size and shape of the windows are very similar to the buildings adjacent and the exterior rendering is of the same shade. There is also a recurrent triangular shape present in terms of entrances. This relates, to a certain extent to the site as well. The entrance to the church, which is diagonally opposite to the site, together with the street facades of the buildings at the end and beginning of the terrace houses are similar to the entrance used for the access point to the interior courtyard.
For the two detached houses within the courtyard, on the other hand, the approach is more modern. These use sloped roofs at an angle of 15° and the rear walls are inclined. Also the south facing facade is clad with timber. |
The conditions presented by the location were also carefully considered. Situated in an area with an average rainfall of 700mm, the houses use a system for harvesting the resulted rainwater. The construction type used for the modules is a Glulam frame with Oriented Strand Board which comes from FSC and PEFC certified managed forests.
In terms of the climate of the region, Somerset is wetter and has a milder weather than the rest of the country (xviii). This was translated in the maximization of access to natural light for all the properties through abundantly glazed south facing facades. This combined with the concrete floors ensure thermal mass that heat the interiors of the houses during winter. In order to avoid overheating during summer, the two detached houses have external balconies, while the terraced houses have a roofed patio. The windows are triple glazed FSC certified with U values of 1.2 W/sq. m K. The external fabric consists of a thermally efficient timber cassette shell with a U value of 0.14 W/sq. m K has been utilized. The inner insulation of the walls consists mainly of recycled newspaper between the timber studs and woodfibre boards.
For the energy requirement of the houses, technologies such as solar panels, wood pellet stoves or solar thermal water heating have been used (xix).
In terms of the climate of the region, Somerset is wetter and has a milder weather than the rest of the country (xviii). This was translated in the maximization of access to natural light for all the properties through abundantly glazed south facing facades. This combined with the concrete floors ensure thermal mass that heat the interiors of the houses during winter. In order to avoid overheating during summer, the two detached houses have external balconies, while the terraced houses have a roofed patio. The windows are triple glazed FSC certified with U values of 1.2 W/sq. m K. The external fabric consists of a thermally efficient timber cassette shell with a U value of 0.14 W/sq. m K has been utilized. The inner insulation of the walls consists mainly of recycled newspaper between the timber studs and woodfibre boards.
For the energy requirement of the houses, technologies such as solar panels, wood pellet stoves or solar thermal water heating have been used (xix).