Download case study 3 – miller zero housing project

Case Studies
One of the most important tasks to be undertaken when beginning a new design is the investigation of
current case studies. Case studies which have been constructed can be used as real life prototypes. This
allows some of the advantages and problems that have been discovered to be identified and this allows
the design proposals to be designed in the most effective way possible. As the project is based on a low
carbon housing scheme, several case studies which have been constructed and rated in line with this
new legislation have been identified and can be seen below. Information displayed below has been
taken from two approved low carbon sources: PassivHaus UK and The Zero Carbon Hub.
CASE STUDY 1 – THE CREO HOUSE
The Creo House was a project completed in 2009 by MJP Architects. The final project achieved a code
level 6 standard and had an overall 131% reduction over the previous building standard. The project is a
four storey mixed social housing and retail complex. A sample picture of the project can be seen in the
image below:
Summary of design:
Insulated concrete formwork (ICF) walls with 150mm
Walls
U = 0.15 W/m2K
concrete core and grey expanded polystyrene blocks with
a 150mm outer and 50mm internal wall
Roof
U = 0.15 W/m2K
Windows
U = 1.16 W/m2K
Airtightness
2.5 m3/m2/hr at 50 Pa
Foundation
-
Ground Floor
-
150mm grey expanded polystyrene interlocking blocks
Triple Glazed, Low E glass, krypton gas filled, warm edge
spacer, five chamber uPVC frame
ICF walls used provide good airtight barrier and minimum
openings provide low leakage
Driven Steel Screw Piles
Lightweight steel framework carrying EPS insulation
boards and in-situ concrete
A Daikin high temperature ASHP is used to provide
ASHP, MVHR
-
mechanical ventilation, underfloor heating and hot water.
An electrical immersion heater in the hot water tank
provides addition hot water if required
PV Panels
-
Panels on the south facing mono-pitched roof provide
electricity to the building
CASE STUDY 2 – BRAMALL’S WINDMILL VIEW HOUSE
This study was part of a social housing development in West Yorkshire completed in 2008. The building
achieved a level 4 code for sustainable homes. The buildings have been constructed at low cost due to
local demand needs and coupled with reduced running costs attained with the level 4 design, they have
become a very good financial investment. A sample house can be seen in the image below followed by a
summary of the projects construction and attained insulation values.
Walls
U = 0.12 W/m2K
300mm cavity fully filled with water repellent glass wool
slab insulation
450mm glass wool roll insulation consisting of three
Roof
U = 0.10 W/m2K
150mm thick layers placed at alternating 90 degree angles
as to cover all roof area.
Double Glazed, Low E glass, krypton gas filled, warm edge
Windows
U = 1.2 W/m2K
Airtightness
5.0 m3/m2/hr at 50 Pa
Foundation
-
Concrete strip
Ground Floor
-
Insulated pre-cast concrete beam and block system
spacer, uPVC frame
First floor plasterboard ceiling fixed prior to wall studding
to reduce the number of joists and reduce loss
A NIBE ‘Fighter 360P’ system provides mechanical
ASHP, MVHR
-
ventilation and space and water heating. Rooms heated
using low heat radiators.
PV Panels,
Solar Thermal
Panels used are of black design providing pleasing
-
aesthetic views while providing electricity and hot water
for the dwelling
CASE STUDY 3 – MILLER ZERO HOUSING PROJECT
Case study three outlines the design of a level 6 code building as part of a renewable housing
development in Hampshire. The dwelling is two storeys and has a total of four bedrooms. The
development attained a 148% reduction in carbon emissions.
Walls
U = 0.09 W/m2K
Roof
U = 0.12 W/m2K
Windows
U = 0.68 W/m2K
Airtightness
1.5 m3/m2/hr at 50 Pa
Foundation
-
Concrete strip
Ground Floor
-
Pre-cast reinforced aircrete planks
Biomass
Boiler
EWIS wall using 200mm of rigid phenolic insulation
Mono pitched roof using 190mm polyurethane insulation
between the rafters underclad with thermalboard
Triple Glazed, Low E glass, krypton gas filled, insulated
edge technology, uPVC frame
Internal wall plaster and large aircrete concrete
planks/thin-joint mortar minimise air-leaks
A Baxi Multi-Heat wood pellet biomass boiler (located in
15 kW
an exterior boiler house) provides underfloor space
heating and hot water for two homes
PV Panels,
MVHR
A Vent Axia MVHR system allows the supply of fresh air
-
while recovering the heat from the outgoing air and PV
panels allow the generation of electricity on south face
CASE STUDY 4 – TARMAC HOMES PROJECT
This project was a design for the University of Nottingham and was completed in 2009. The home was
constructed as part of the Universities built environment department as a showcase house of the future.
The project aimed to provide the lowest cost solution possible while remaining to attain a level 6
standard.
215mm solid wall aircrete blocks with external expanded
Walls
U = 0.15 W/m2K
polystyrene (EPS) insulation provides continuous layer of
thermal insulation with minimal thermal bridging
Timber trussed with an asymmetric pitch south facing at a
Roof
U = 0.10 W/m2K
22 degree angle to the horizon to maximise micro
generation of electricity
Windows
U = 1.5 W/m2K
Airtightness
2.0 m3/m2/hr at 50 Pa
Foundation
-
Concrete strip
Ground Floor
-
Pre-cast concrete beams infilled with EPS panels
Biomass
Boiler
PV Panels,
Solar Thermal
10 - 15 kW
Double glazed with argos gas fill
Achieved by finishing the internal walls with a
traditional lightweight plaster
Wood pellet boiler which provides space heating for two
homes
Panels used are of black design providing pleasing
-
aesthetic views while providing electricity and hot water
for the dwelling
CASE STUDY 5 – SOUTHDALE HOMES HILL TOP POINT
This case study is based on a development of several new homes which were built to attain a code for
stainable homes level of 3. The development took place in Worsley in Manchester. Construction was
completed in 2008 by architect Nicol Thomas.
Walls
U = 0.20 W/m2K
Factory-fitted insulation between studs of timber closed panel
(150mm thick)
400mm of layered glass quilt insulation in the roof in layers, with
Roof
U = 0.10 W/m2K
the first layer between the joists, the second at 90 degrees to
the first, and the third layer at 90 degrees to the second
Double Glazed, Low E glass, 20mm air gap, uPVC
Windows
U = 1.60 W/m2K
Airtightness
6.6 m3/m2/hr at 50 Pa
-
Foundation
-
Strip footings with mass fill concrete
Ground Floor
-
Pre-cast beam and block system
Solar Thermal
Array
4 m2
Framework
Flat plate Viridian system incorporating a condensing
boiler in the kitchen and a cylinder in the roof space
CASE STUDY 6 – THE WOODMANS COTTAGE
Case study 6 is based on a project covered on the hit TV show Grand Designs. The cottage was a project
undertaken by a woodsman named Ben Law. The project was to be undertaken using all renewable
sources and in harmony with the surrounding forest. The design was undertaken using primarily wood
with straw bale insulation for the walls. The project was completed using a budget of only £25,000 and
included the installation of solar and wind electricity. An image of the completed project can be seen
below.
The fundamental aim of the building was similar to the aim of the given brief. The project set out to use
materials which were available locally in order to attain a building which was as environmentally friendly
as possible. Ben Law has achieved this goal by using the wood and materials available from local
sources. The main body of the building has been constructed with timber from the forest in which it is
situated. The walls have been given depth using straw bales from a local farm and the windows have
been sourced locally also. In undertaking this venture with the clear sustainability goal, Ben Law has
produced a building through which many designers aiming to achieve an environmentally friendly build
can learn from. Ben has showed how using the local, low carbon materials can produce a comfortable
and structurally sound dwelling.
When designing the buildings which are going to be used for the local community outlined in the brief,
the ideas displayed by Ben have been taken and implemented to provide a low carbon solution. The use
of locally sourced material has been used for all elements of the design and the group is also using
locally sourced timber and straw bales for the body of the building. The buildings shall then be finished
using a smooth lime plaster in order to produce a clean, modern looking building whilst allowing the
straw to breathe and significantly reducing the carbon content compared with conventional build
materials and methods.
References:
BRE – PassivHaus UK, www.passivhaus.org.uk
www.zerocarbonhub.org
Grand Designs Webpage, www.channel4.com/4homes