Elizabeth Twining Passivhaus Almshouses Completed
We pleased to announce the completion of five new ‘Passivhaus’ certified, wheelchair user almshouses, for the over-65s of limited means, on behalf of The Richmond Charities.
BRIEF
The scheme replaced an underutilised garage site under the charities’ ownership, and in doing so, provided desperately needed new homes in a sustainable location, adjacent to other almshouse facilities. The proposal is made up of a mix of four M4(3) full ‘wheelchair user dwellings’ and one smaller M3(2) ‘accessible and adaptable dwelling’.
DESIGN
The project has been designed and certified as Passivhaus, with excellent airtightness, high levels of insulation, and low heating needs, therefore keeping energy use to a minimum. Comfortable indoor temperatures will be maintained through underfloor heating linked to ground source heat pumps, together with mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, which also improves air quality. Photovoltaic solar panels on the roof provide free electricity, stored in individual batteries for each home, and large roof lights to both the living rooms / kitchens and also the wet rooms, allow for natural daylight and positive solar gain.
HERITAGE
Being within a conservation area, the site is adjacent to late Victorian houses, many being Buildings of Townscape Merit (BTMs). The scheme responded to this historic setting with a sensitive, small-scale design, respectful to neighbouring buildings views and character. A similar colour and texture of brick was used, together with flush/brushed pointing, to relate to the façades of the Victorian BTMs.
SUSTAINABILITY
Heating Load (W/m²): 9 (Passivhaus target <10)
Airtightness test results (n50): 0.5 (Passivhaus target <0.6)
Primary Energy Demand (kWh/(m²a)): 56 (Passivhaus target <60)
Annual CO2 Produced (Tonnes): 0.0 (Net-Zero Carbon)
EPC Rating Average (%): 95 A
Environmental Impact Rating (%): 99 A
Expected Annual Bills ‘unregulated’: £123 (Heating, hot water, lighting)
Electricity Exported to Grid (kWh/yr): 677 (SAP10)
CCA will be monitoring the data of the PVs, battery usage, and overall bills, for future feedback.
“We have worked with Clive Chapman on several Passivhaus projects.
Their team is very knowledgeable in PHPP and can produce beautiful, efficient, low-energy and Passivhaus buildings.”