The eco home is an extension to its’ natural environment, the green and wooded land in which it sits.
As a new build, it must touch the ground lightly, offering shelter and protection from the elements and the risks and challenges of the outside world, in the most natural form possible.
It appears as an organic element designed to offer a multi-functional family home of the future, from where daily life can be administered in times when an inward retreat is necessary or preferred, and the spaces within can be utilised throughout the day for various activities that offer the flexibility to make this family home a work or school space, in a comfortable and safe setting. Immediately upon entering, a wet room / toilet is available for instant change and showering to eliminate the contagions and reduce the stresses of the outside world.
The design incorporates solutions to meet climate challenge targets for a Net Zero Carbon future, offering a domestic operational energy use of <35 KWh/m2/yr. High levels of insulation and airtightness are balanced whilst appropriate levels of daylight in triple glazed windows, opening for natural ventilation and access to the outdoor areas being offered to align fabric first and building performance excellence with premium standards of occupant’s health and wellbeing.
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The unit is orientated to optimise passive sustainable design solutions, with narrow and limited openings to south facing facades that incorporate live green walls, to offset the loss of nature to the site, improve biodiversity and the heat island effect, and insulate the interior for both sound and heat levels. This feature is extended indoors to impact positively the occupier’s wellness, and can be introduced at roof level to further these enhancements to accompany the solar panels that are positioned to offer site generated renewable energy. This, coupled with geothermal heat collection, a MVHR mechanically ventilated heat recovery system and construction detailing of air tight membranes that offers a thermally conductive bypass route for heat loss through the junctions of the materials used, ensures that the building is designed to minimise heat loss, improve internal comfort levels and overall heat load and costs.
Rainwater harvesting and greywater collection for onsite reuse, supported by low flow sanitary fixtures throughout, aids the circularity and waste reduction aspects of the systems introduced.
Utilising Norbord SterlingOSB Zero horizontally and vertically both internally, and insulated and clad externally for a modulated SIP solution, the tones and texture of the external appearance can be adjusted to suit the natural or engineered environment in which it is to be placed. Offering a completed solution that can be incorporated into home extensions, or as a stand-alone, detached, or clustered solutions bringing quick and precise offsite manufacture, and easy in-situ assembly. A solution that will provide sustainable and sought-after homes and home extensions that can be contextually adapted to suit locale, context and taste.
2020
Scotland, UK