Eco House, Bishopthorpe, York
The building plot, which was formally the rear half of a large garden presented some interesting challenges, as it is overlooked by a large number of properties. The plot was sold with full planning permission for a 3–bedroom dormer bungalow, but Tim & Melissa were keen to design something more innovative that did not impact on the privacy of the neighbouring properties. Their solution was to create a single storey courtyard house that looks inwards to a central garden area through large sections of glazing. By using SIPs it was easy to leave the ceilings vaulted with exposed glulam beams as well as ensuring a quick build time and a very airtight building.
Development factfile
Client: Mr T. Banks & Ms M. Gallimore
Contractor: Self-managed build with directly appointed subcontractors.
SIPS Started: 19.1.12
SIPS Completed: 14.2.12 (3 days away from site)
Project Address: Bishopthorpe, York
INTERESTING FACT: Groundworks were started in early December and the erection of the SIPs panels carried on through rain, wind and even 6 inches of snow!
The materials
Foundation: Insulated reinforced raft slab.
Walls and roof: The Kingspan TEK Building System
Outer walls: Cedar Cladding
Roof Tiles: Green sedum roof to two elevations plus 4kW of Solar PV panels on south facing roof.
Gutters: Surface water is managed using 50m of high performance permavoid conduit (from SEL Environmental) which is laid around the perimeter of the building. Rainwater run-off from the roofs is allowed to fall directly from the eaves onto the ground where it is dispersed around the site.
Heating: Underfloor heating laid directly into the insulated concrete slab and mechanical heat recovery ventilation throughout.
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