The creation of living spaces must acknowledge the need to place sustainability at the heart of the way homes are designed, constructed, and occupied.

A renewable energy capacity study (RECS) provided a menu of design alternatives that can fit a range of budgets. They demonstrate how the refurbishment can successfully integrate the necessary generation of heat and power for householders.

Innovative construction techniques are used to create eco-extensions and a roof covering to achieve remarkable airtightness, effectively removing draughts and almost all heat losses. These eco-extensions represent a dramatic and innovative new way of meeting the requirement to refurbish homes.

Constructed using timber frame, they are designed to cost effectively enhance the existing space to deliver Lifetime Home standards and to respond to the heating and cooling opportunities presented by orientation.

The design can incorporate façade or roof mounted renewable energy generating capacity - both solar thermal and photovoltaics (PV) - depending on orientation. The integration of 8 m2 of photovoltaic panel into the fabric of the east or west facing roofs will generate 500 kWh of electricity, or 20% of the annual need of a standard home, and 8 m2 of south facing photovoltaic panel installed on the roof of the car ports will generate 750 kWh - or almost 30%.

The air space to the rear of the translucent cladding of the walls and roof provide the opportunity for heat to be collected and used for space and water heating.

Depending on orientation (south facing walls, east/south/west facing roofs), the cladding can incorporate PV cells and the voids accommodate solar hot water collectors. For north facing facades a more standard solution of timber cladding, brickwork or even gabions can be used.

Central to providing high levels of thermal comfort for the occupants is the sophisticated HVAC system with its own integrated air source heat pump, by Paul Heat Recovery. The low energy system monitors ambient humidity and temperature in all rooms. Natural air movements together with sensor driven fan inverters collect warmed air from the conservatories, from the air space in the external wall and roof covering (using the principles of OM Solar), and from kitchens/bathrooms. The system removes excess moisture and ducts warmed air to those rooms where it is needed. If not required, the warmed air is passed through the heat exchanger to the hot water store.

The integral air source heat pump ensures hot water and heating are always available. Where conditions are suitable, this can be replaced by a ground source heat pump. The system is designed to manage and share between all of the homes the solar power and thermal gains. Smart meters allow occupants to understand the energy being used and generated and ensures equitable billing.

»Lighting
Passive solar principles have driven the building design and together with the use of roof glazing minimise the need for artificial lighting. Low voltage LED dimmable and zoned lighting, photocell and occupancy sensors dramatically reduce the carbon footprint and cost of lighting.

»Sustainable mobility
The new generation of electric-powered vehicles can be recharged at the car port through secure charging points. Community car clubs could allow residents to use the car space to extend their garden or add greenhouses and become more self-sufficient in food.

»Water Use
A water assessment guided the choice of water saving fixtures in the use of a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS). Rainwater is collected in underground tanks for communal use in gardens and flushing toilets. Low water fittings and appliances dramatically reduce annual water consumption and could avoid the need for grey water recycling. Allowing for adaptation to climate change, internal space is available for grey water recycling tanks and treatment.

»Lifetime Homes
Accessibility is at the heart of the proposals. The open nature of the ground floor minimises barriers and provides contemporary spaces with the flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of all. Provision for a future lift is made through the incorporation of an open stairwell, removing the need to break through floors. The location of the lift in the circulation space allows equal access to all upper rooms.

»Community Living
The culture and practice of sharing is key to the proposals, where individual homes share opportunities, facilities and resources, making living more sustainable.

Rigid garden boundaries are avoided with the exterior space designed and used flexibly to meet the needs and aspirations of the residents. Communal plots are incorporated for vegetable growing, greenhouses, storage and recycling.

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