A Design For Immediate Delivery
Although built as a demonstration house, the Renewable House has demonstrated its viability for production of affordable homes at high volume. Combining fast construction time and highly sustainable credentials, supported with a design that allows easy elaboration, the Renewable House is the ideal solution for Housing Associations and Local Authorities looking for a solution that ticks the affordable, buildable and quality boxes.
Built at the BRE Innovation Park and officially opened at Insite 2009, the Renewable House has been designed to meet Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, with a build cost of £75,000, excluding groundworks and utilities. Built using renewable materials, the design of the house enables it to be enhanced to meet code levels 5 and 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The Renewable House concept can be extended to three storey town houses, semi-detached and terraced houses. The design is adaptable enough to be contextualised, with options like bays and balconies and a variety of facing materials available.
The changing age profile of the population means homes have to be built to last and flexible to accommodate evolving needs. The Renewable House is a Lifetime Home. The downstairs washroom can be modified to include a shower at a later date if required and a lift can also be fitted from the dining room.
The build of the house has demonstrated just how commercially viable the Renewable House is, largely due to its design and the careful selection of materials. Built in just 12 weeks, it is anticipated that future commercial developments could substantially reduce the timescale due to volume and associated on site efficiencies.
The scheme was delivered by the NNFCC with funding from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The house was Project Managed by contractor The Linford Group who handled the design development and construction. They worked with design partners Empyer Homes and Archial Architects.
The key building material, Hemcrete® - a combination of hemp and lime - was provided by product manufacturer Lime Technology and the development was overseen by the client's agent Benchmark Property.
For further information on The Renewable House or to arrange a visit to the house, visit www.renewable-house.co.uk.
