Replacement 4 Bedroomed House

The 4 bedroom house is built to reduce energy consumption and be more sustainably constructed than the normal current practice. The energy requirements at completion are calculated to be better than a 50% reduction on the then current Building Regulation requirements.

Whilst for structural reasons the base of the walls are constructed in conventional brick and blockwork, albeit with a wider insulated cavity than normal, above this the walls use an insulated timber frame panel system with external wood fibre insulation board finished in a lime based render system. The roof of natural slates sits over wood fibre insulation and deeper than normal rafters allowing a greater thickness of insulation. Windows are triple glazed to the north and high performance double glazed elsewhere. The house has a high level of airtightness and of vapour permeability.

The clients requested a feature internal oak frame which is provided and acts as a hybrid structure with the timber panel system. The timber frame elements received a “Build It” Award for “Best Use of Timber Frame” developed from our original design and concept with English Brothers as frame suppliers and erectors. The house has also been featured on “My Flat Pack Home” – Chapman build (UKTV)

Heating and hot water are provided by an air source heat pump, solar thermal panels and a woodburning stove. Ventilation is achieved by mechanical whole house ventilation with heat recovery and opening windows.

After occupation for a number of years, the clients have confirmed that the house is working well with a comfortable interior and considerably reduced heating costs when compared with similar sized houses of conventional construction.

Photography: Roger Dyson Photography