| Brooklands
Situated on a stunning site in the green belt, we have worked closely with the clients to amend an existing planning application to create a modern, crafted and energy efficient home with a tangible connection to the clients cherished garden. The spaces within the home have been carefully organised to provide spacious, open plan living, along with 4 generous bedrooms. The refined internal layout provides visual connection between spaces, and selected views to the garden and landscape beyond. The timber detailing provides a contemporary warmth and natural aesthetic to the home.
The project focuses particularly on the use of materials and celebrates locally handmade brickwork. We have carefully articulated details to ensure the revised design is bespoke, crafted and fitting with the landscape. Using the Passivhaus Planning Package, we have worked to keep the energy use to an absolute minimum, whilst the selection of materials looks to minimise embodied energy during construction and provide great thermal comfort.
Our clients are thrilled with the completed project, and we are so pleased to see such a personal and crafted project come to life and be enjoyed fully.
The project focuses particularly on the use of materials and celebrates locally handmade brickwork. We have carefully articulated details to ensure the revised design is bespoke, crafted and fitting with the landscape. Using the Passivhaus Planning Package, we have worked to keep the energy use to an absolute minimum, whilst the selection of materials looks to minimise embodied energy during construction and provide great thermal comfort.
Our clients are thrilled with the completed project, and we are so pleased to see such a personal and crafted project come to life and be enjoyed fully.
Project Factfile:
Project Stage: Complete 2021
Main Contractor: Glebe Construction
Structural Engineer: NashMead
Annual Heat Demand: 20 kWh/m2a (Design Stage)
Air Tightness: 1.5 Ach @50pa
MVHR: Green Building Store
Heating System: Ground Source Heat Pump
Brickwork: York Handmade ‘Old Clamp’
Windows: Rationel
Loat bearing structure: Porotherm Clay Blockwork
Main Contractor: Glebe Construction
Structural Engineer: NashMead
Annual Heat Demand: 20 kWh/m2a (Design Stage)
Air Tightness: 1.5 Ach @50pa
MVHR: Green Building Store
Heating System: Ground Source Heat Pump
Brickwork: York Handmade ‘Old Clamp’
Windows: Rationel
Loat bearing structure: Porotherm Clay Blockwork
Sustainable Design
To reduce the energy demands of the home, we used the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) through the design stages to tweak the form, openings and fabric of the building to achieve an annual heat demand of 20Kwh/m2a. Through detailed design and quality checks during construction, we achieved an airtightness rating of 1.5 ach @50pa., contributing to the buildings extremely low annual heat demand.
Systems are an intrinsic part of the design, a centralised Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery System (MVHR) is used to achieve consistent air quality throughout, reduce heat loss and maintain humidity levels throughout. Heating and hot water are provided via a Ground Source Heat Pump which further reduces the homes running costs.
Reducing the energy used in materials and in construction is essential. The external wall structure is constructed from Porotherm Blockwork, a lightweight clay block with significantly lower embodied energy than standard concrete blockwork. The bricks are locally made by York Handmade Bricks, with Yorkshire clay, significantly reducing the transport energy. Lime mortar is used throughout for durability and to assist in re-use of the brickwork at the end of the building’s life. The only steel in the building is in reinforcement of the concrete foundations and window lintels. Insulation products are woodfibre, Earthwool and EPS.
Systems are an intrinsic part of the design, a centralised Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery System (MVHR) is used to achieve consistent air quality throughout, reduce heat loss and maintain humidity levels throughout. Heating and hot water are provided via a Ground Source Heat Pump which further reduces the homes running costs.
Reducing the energy used in materials and in construction is essential. The external wall structure is constructed from Porotherm Blockwork, a lightweight clay block with significantly lower embodied energy than standard concrete blockwork. The bricks are locally made by York Handmade Bricks, with Yorkshire clay, significantly reducing the transport energy. Lime mortar is used throughout for durability and to assist in re-use of the brickwork at the end of the building’s life. The only steel in the building is in reinforcement of the concrete foundations and window lintels. Insulation products are woodfibre, Earthwool and EPS.
Technical Considerations
The site is within a coal mining risk area, so intrusive drilling was carried out to establish the ground conditions and enable the accurate design of foundations.
A highly insulated cavity construction is used, ranging from a 150mm to a 400mm insulated cavity. Basalt wall ties are used to reduce heat transfer through the external wall structure. The curved staircase is an important central feature in the design to arrange the spaces around and connects areas with views and natural light. This was carefully formed from blockwork, and treads were hung independently from the structure in a simple but bespoke design to achieve the required quality.
The brick selected was a non-standard size of 2 x 10 inches. This longer format both helps the building settle in the landscape, and reflects a more historic use of brick. This non-standard size, required careful coordination and detailing to ensure a quality aesthetic. We utilised different details to accentuate corners, frame openings and provide feature panels.
A highly insulated cavity construction is used, ranging from a 150mm to a 400mm insulated cavity. Basalt wall ties are used to reduce heat transfer through the external wall structure. The curved staircase is an important central feature in the design to arrange the spaces around and connects areas with views and natural light. This was carefully formed from blockwork, and treads were hung independently from the structure in a simple but bespoke design to achieve the required quality.
The brick selected was a non-standard size of 2 x 10 inches. This longer format both helps the building settle in the landscape, and reflects a more historic use of brick. This non-standard size, required careful coordination and detailing to ensure a quality aesthetic. We utilised different details to accentuate corners, frame openings and provide feature panels.
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"Now enjoying our dream home we feel extremely fortunate that we were able to engage Croft Design. Not only were James and Flo expert at translating our ideas into practical,cost effective plans they also added imeasurably to the creativity and quality of the build. Their brilliant design ideas have given our finished house a clean, open and spacious feel making the most of the site and by working with the planning authorities improving on the original permissions. By using innovative materials and ensuring the builders worked to exacting standrards we are the proud owners of an extremely efficient and sustainable home."
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