BUILDING ENVELOPE Kingspan Timber Solutions are pushing the practical application of new technologies to create high performance building envelopes. Prefabrication and lean design expertise is invaluable when dealing with the enhanced thermal and airtightness requirements of Passivhaus projects, such as the Greenhauses in Sulgrave Gardens. Greenhauses represents a significant step forward in bringing Passivhaus into common use in the UK, in an affordable and deliverable format. The development comprises a terrace of three-storey houses together with two five-storey apartment buildings all of which have been constructed to Passivhaus principles. The development is completed with four mews houses with roof terraces. These homes are not only designed to save residents a significant amount on energy bills – up to 90% in the case of the certified units, but also to provide considerably improved indoor air quality. To complement the architecture in two adjacent conservation zones, brick was chosen as the primary facade material for the buildings. Given the tight urban nature of the site, minimising the thickness of the remaining wall build-ups was key, whilst still attaining the required level of thermal performance. Each of the four blocks required a specific design response so as to meet the challenges of the planning and architectural context, and the energy use and heat loss targets of Passivhaus. Two main construction methods were used both utilising the high performance Structural Insulated Panel system (SIPs). Kingspan TEK® SIPs produce the primary structure of the 10 houses, with a concrete frame insulated with Kingspan TEK® cladding panels being developed for the 20 apartments. Both build-ups achieve outstanding thermal performance with final external wall U-values of 0.10 W/m2K. The proprietary jointing system featured on both Kingspan
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TEK products, in combination with the additional airtightness detailing on the project, ensured that air loss is below the 0.6 air changes per hour @ 50 Pa. To maintain a constant flow of fresh air, mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) systems were installed, using heat from the outgoing air to warm the incoming, fresh air. Building performance evaluation is currently underway together with occupier wellbeing research. The transition to a low-carbon economy presents our industry with great opportunities for growth. Environmental considerations will transform how our buildings are constructed, what materials
are used and the methods employed. We are now on the cusp of the predicted ‘sea-change’ and the time is right for the construction industry to embrace innovative timber technology and offsite techniques to develop better buildings at a rapid rate to enhance lives, minimise the environmental impact and reduce energy costs for occupants for many years to come. For more information visit: www.kingspantek.co.uk
IMAGES: 01-02. Sulgrave Gardens presents a significant step forward in bringing Passivhaus into common use in the UK 03. Kingspan TEK® Building System 04. Kingspan TEK® Building Cladding Panel System
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