Our proposal offers an innovative, responsive solution to low carbon living and sustainable housing. In developing our concept we have looked at successful models of low energy housing across Europe and the UK, as well as building on our own experience of completing some of the first Passivhaus and Code for Sustainable Homes level 6 homes in the UK.

We propose to mirror the principles of a self sufficient energy efficient home which, translated to the townhouse of tomorrow, creates a house that does not require a conventional space heating system. The townhouse, using FutureForm’s innovative lightweight modular system, responds to a number of elementary design principles; optimising fabric performance and minimising losses before maximising gains. A compact 65 sq m footprint to the townhouse and good insulation in all external elements ensure the design can meet target U values of 0.15w/m 2K or better.

Dual aspect living and bedroom spaces are carefully planned so that, regardless of orientation, the townhouse can make passive use of solar energy via highly energy efficient UK manufactured windows with a U value of around 0.8W/m2K. Using the lightweight steel frame modules, thermal bridging can be minimised and careful detailing can achieve a target airtightness of less than 3m3/hr/m2 at 50 Pa.

A Code level 5 townhouse
The townhouse utilises a number of innovative solutions to achieve its Code for Sustainable Homes level 5 rating and meet 100 per cent improvement over the estimated target emissions rate (TER).

A whole house balanced mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system will extract warm ‘stale’ air from bathrooms and kitchen and will supply fresh air from outside to bedrooms and living spaces. This air will be pre-warmed by the MVHR unit using heat from the extracted air. The system will ensure a healthy, comfortable and stable internal environment.

Numerous renewable/low carbon sources of energy have been reviewed and ultimately the choice (as part of a holistic energy strategy) will depend on local site conditions. Calculations for the design are based on a ground source heat pump, which will work in harmony with an underfloor heating system (ground floor only), while providing domestic hot water and a minor top up to the preheat element of the MVHR system.

Initial dynamic simulation studies indicate a very low space heating demand of around 15kwh/m2 per annum, with space heating demand occurring only in areas with limited or no solar gains.

Photovoltaic panels integrated into the roof reduce reliance on the grid and the installed capacity will meet Code level 5 (around 2.4kWp) with further roof space available for future upgrade.

In line with Code level 5 criteria the townhouse will be fitted with 100 per cent energy efficient lighting (including external PIRs and daylight sensors). A-rated appliances would be used and water efficient appliances, including dual flush toilets, flow reducing taps, showers and limited volume washing machine and dishwasher, would help reduce consumption to below 80litres per person per day. A rainwater harvesting tank is provided which will provide recycled water for flushing toilets, washing machine and watering the rear garden. Consideration will be made to minimise surface water run off in the garden and shared streets. An electric car charging point is provided in the car port/ garage, as well as recycling, bin storage and family bicycle storage.

A versatile townhouse
Key to the concept is the creation of a family focused twenty-first century living space with the versatility to adapt to changing family needs. The design maximises versatility and accessibility with an L-shaped configuration. This offers flexibility in internal configuration as well as on a city block or suburban terrace scale.

The bright open plan living ‘deck’ brings together the family functions of living, dining, kitchen and outdoor space on first floor level. Four bedrooms are provided in the townhouse’s current configuration, and there is potential for wheelchair needs, a home/work unit or granny flat on ground floor. The townhouse can be extended/adapted in a number of ways without additional foundations. Both upper terraces could in future have additional modules craned in to increase floor area (further two bedrooms), while the second floor bedroom could be sub-divided in later years to meet the needs of growing children.

A Lifetime Homes standard townhouse
All Lifetime Homes principles have been integrated into the townhouse, including future provision of stair and platform lifts, knock out panels to link adjacent bathrooms and bedrooms with hoist tracks. Going further, there is the possibility of a ground floor bedroom and/or self-contained accessible wheelchair flat.

A sustainable and robust townhouse
The FutureForm modules provide a simple framework for numerous external material finishes, depending on the characteristics or planning constraints of local areas, while providing the opportunity to plug in renewable technologies. At this stage considerations are in line with the green guide to specification as well as whole life cost and maintenance issues. A simple robust brick finish is proposed to the walls, which would be locally sourced (potentially using reclaimed materials) and used in conjunction with UK manufactured hardwood triple glazed windows. Insulation with recycled content would be used both within the module build up and external to the module to meet the Code.

An intelligent townhouse
The townhouse of the future should be intelligent and responsive to future ICT advancements. Our townhouse will have an ICT-intelligent infrastructure, including category 5 network installations, and would facilitate wireless technology in conjunction with the principle of monitoring and metering the energy systems. Suitable and sufficient facilities for home working will be provided to minimise reliance on car journeys.

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