Lafarge to build low carbon housing
Proposed Waterford Hamel project by SEArch Architects and Lafarge
Lafarge have collaborated with SEArch Architects and an undisclosed major UK housing developer to commission Waterford Hamel residential development in Hertfordshire. The scheme, which claims to exceed the government’s definition of zero carbon homes, has been submitted for planning and was promoted at an event hosted by The Green Organisation at the House of Commons last month.
Proposed Waterford Hamel in Hertfordshire
The Waterford Hamel project was introduced by Stuart Wykes of Lafarge who was followed by MP Steve Gilbert whose constituency includes the St Austell or Clay Country eco-villages. The project builds on a previous collaboration between Lafarge and SEArch Architects, Unity Gardens in Lincolnshire. Several Unity Gardens residents, selected via lottery, were on hand to testify about their experience living at Unity Gardens. They have had no fuel bills in the three years since they occupied their homes.
SEArch Architect's Unity Gardens in Lincolnshire
Waterford Hamel is comprised of 11 units which are targeted to meet CSH Level 6. The units are to be pre-fabricated off site. The units will exploit thermal mass using a range of Lafarge concrete products and will incorporate PVs and solar thermal for hot water. Lafarge plans to fund three years of post-occupancy monitoring.
Waterford Hamel house - environmental strategy
Land Securities and The Alumet Group, sponsors of the event, also gave presentations. Alumet is currently working with the town of Southam in Warwickshire to develop a ‘community green scheme’. The initiative includes a Renewable Technology Training centre to address the skills gap and meet the need for more domestic and non- domestic energy assessors to skill up for the Green Deal. The event highlighted the important role of occupants and the need for both behavioural change and technically straightforward solutions to deliver zero carbon homes.
Notes of the presentations can be downloaded here.
by Ruth Dreyer, AJ sustainability intern
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Filed under: Green event
interesting…
This just in from Jerry Harrall of SEArch Architects:
1. Waterford has no radiators, no boilers, no mechanical ventilation, no air source, and no ground source. What can I say, the scheme is more profound for what isn’t in it , rather than what is in.
2. All the elemental U-Values are less than 0.1W/m2/K (200mm eurethane insulation and more).
There is a great deal more to tell of course, so if you’re looking for more extraordinary building performances, get in touch!