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We are currently working with ‘Affresol’ who are pioneering eco friendly modular housing using a ‘Reszinite’ material based on the use of recycled plastics.
Vale Consultancy are committed to Sustainable Best Practices and are well prepared for the change in Regulations towards the requirements of Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM, which are of increasing importance within today’s construction industry.
We are currently working on a number of partnerships which we anticipate will bring Vale Consultancy to the forefront of leading Sustainable Best Practice Engineers.
Two highly energy efficient homes that will produce more than 80% less carbon emissions than a standard new house have been chosen as the overall winners of the Welsh Passive House architectural competition.
Innovative designs, coupled with high levels of insulation and renewable energy, will dramatically reduce the need for supplementary heating, resulting in fuel bills that are at least two thirds cheaper than the average home.
Acting as Civil and Structural Engineers, Vale Consultancy were part of the winning team led by HLM Architects. The winning dwelling utilizes environmentally friendly materials such as hempcrete walls, recycled paper and glass for insulation, recycled aggregarates and low embodied cement replacement in the concrete foundations, as well as FSC/Welsh sourced timber.
The two houses will be built at The Works:Ebbw Vale – the former steelworks site – and form the nucleus of Future Homes, a demonstration centre for sustainable development and construction.
The competition, run by the Welsh Assembly Government and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council in association with Building Research Establishment (BRE), attracted 26 entries from around the UK and tasked Architect led teams with designing a sustainable affordable home featuring innovative measures for energy efficiency and eco excellence.
The Welsh Passive House combines the principles of the highly efficient PassivHaus low carbon buildings standards pioneered in Germany and meet the Code for Sustainable Homes in Wales (CSH) level 5 requirements including waste disposal, use of local materials, water efficiency and use of renewable energy features..
The designs had to satisfy the CSH Level 5 standard, using local sustainable materials, incorporating innovative solutions for electricity reductions and construction costs.
Both winning designs are highly energy efficient, substantially insulated to retain heat, have triple glazed windows, make the maximum use of natural light and sunshine and require only the minimal supplementary heating in winter.
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Structural Image
Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews, said:
"the winning designs use a range of local Welsh products and are exemplars of low carbon energy efficiency.
The innovative measures for energy efficiency used in these designs can be replicated in building developments throughout Wales and should cost no more than a standard home when economies of scale are taken into consideration.
The new technologies together with the use of local products manufactured from recycled materials, open up a range of business, training and job opportunities for local people which supports our sustainable agenda.”
Jonathan Jones, HLM Regional Director, said:
“Winning this competition, which is crucial to making sure homes across Wales become more sustainable, reflects our commitment to environmental design.
Using local craftsmanship, supply and materials and leading edge environmental analysis and design tools we have created a truly vernacular house reflecting the heritage of both Wales and Ebbw Vale. By applying the principles of passive design with cutting edge environmental design tools, we have designed a low energy building at affordable cost.
Our dedicated specialist team, HLM Environment, along with the invaluable support of Aecom, Vale Consultancy and EC Harris, have ensured the environmental impact of our project is minimal, in construction and in use.“ |
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