Contact →

Tag: Chris Parsons

  • Ben’s self-build story: laying a beam and block floor

    Ben’s self-build story: laying a beam and block floor

    This time, we’re back on site at House Planning Help founder Ben Adam-Smith’s self-build to see how work is progressing. Let’s find out what’s involved in laying a beam and block floor.

     

    In the previous post, we followed the early stages of Ben’s build and saw his contractor successfully install a concrete strip foundation.

    When we left the story, the strip foundations had been poured and set, and the rest of the plot levelled. We were ready for the ground floor of Ben’s 226 sqm Passivhaus in Hertfordshire to be laid.

    In order to meet Passivhaus standard cost-effectively, Ben’s house is being built using familiar, tried-and-tested methods. And that mindset continues with the chosen approach to the floor.

    Ben’s architecture firm Parsons and Whittley have specified a beam and block floor for this project. But what is a beam and block floor exactly, and why was it the right choice for this build?

     

    What is a beam and block floor?

    At the start of the millennium, solid concrete slabs were still the preferred method for ground floors in most houses. Today, things are different, and most are built in the beam and block style.

    First, dwarf (small) walls are built to support a large number of cast concrete beams. At this stage, drainage and service pipes are also fitted into the floor voids. Next, the concrete beams are carefully arranged across the full floor area of the house. And finally, a bit like a jumbo jigsaw puzzle, concrete blocks are dropped in to fill in the gaps.

    There are significant benefits to using beam and block. “It’s a cost-effective technique and it doesn’t come with the risk of settlement, which a full ground-bearing slab can,” says Chris Parsons.

    One potential challenge of using beam and block in a Passivhaus is that it does create a thermal bridge – in other words, areas where you could lose a lot of heat.

    “We’ve done a lot of work to model the amount of heat that could be lost and put plans in place to include for that,” said Chris. “So it’s not a problem at all.”

    The floor will not be completed for some time

    While beam and block flooring is a straightforward job for experienced building contractors, some important adjustments do need to be made along the way. Where services enter the house, for example, blocks need to be cut to fit.

    With all the beams and blocks dropped into place on Ben’s build, the team then brushed the floor with sand. The floor will remain at this relatively raw stage for the time being, as it gives the contractors an ideal, flat base to work from as they embark on the next stage of the build, constructing the first-floor walls. Later in the process, the floor will be carefully insulated and then a screed will be laid. The final flooring finish goes on top of this towards the end of the project.

    “It’s an exciting time for us now,” said Ben. “The excavator and dumper have been sent packing and the site is piled high with towers of masonry and materials. Walking through it all is like being in Indiana Jones!”

     

  • HPH185 : Why engaging in the planning process is so important

    HPH185 : Why engaging in the planning process is so important

    Ben Adam-Smith reviews what it took to be granted planning permission for his new Passivhaus home.

    A recap of the self build journey so far

    After buying a plot of land and hiring our architecture firm Parsons + Whittley, we briefed them on what we would like from our new home.

    We really liked the initial sketches and, through an iterative process, we developed the designs.

    One of the main constraints with our plot is the proximity to the neighbour (because this is effectively a garden plot) and so a lot of time was spent addressing the height of our proposed building.

    Finally we were ready for our planning submission.

     

    Planning applications can be viewed online

    Each local authority has a ‘public access’ planning portal. For example, I had to go through East Herts County Council.

    When you put in an application it will be posted for anyone to see.

    Supporting documents can be included with an application

    Due to the proximity of our plot to the neighbouring dwelling (we are effectively building in their old garden), we needed to demonstrate that there was no loss of amenity.

    So drawings were created to show how our designs compared with the extant consent.

    We also included a Passivhaus verification sheet to show we were serious about meeting the standard.

    Applications can be amended or withdrawn

    The planning process doesn’t have to be a case of submit your designs and wait for the outcome. There is the opportunity to engage with the planners and make it a two way process.

    So if there’s something they don’t like about the scheme, you can look at new solutions or withdraw your application completely.

    By managing the process you are far more likely to have a positive outcome.

     

    It is possible to get more time to address concerns

    For a small project, such as a house build, the planning process typically takes 8 weeks.

    However, it can be possible to get an extension before the final decision is made.

    For example, our planning application was not granted initially because our house was deemed to be ‘oppressive’ to the neighbour. However we were able to submit more evidence to show this was no worse than the extant consent. We also chose to lose our porch and move the house a further 700mm away from the neighbouring property. These alterations were sufficient for our planning application to be granted.

     

    Visual aids add clarity to an application

    Whilst these (such as the comparison drawings above) often take time to create they can be worth their weight in gold.

    Your local planning department is likely to be busy so if you can do anything to save them time and make the arguments ‘visual’ then it will probably be appreciated.

     

    Going to appeal is not as attractive as it sounds

    Any planning decision can be appealed. This generally introduces a 6-month delay. Quite often there may be other options in front of you, before you consider going to appeal.

    If you do appeal, someone independent (from another geographic area) will look at the case again. However, whatever decision they come to is final.

     

    Test your application against policy before submitting

    The application will be decided on planning grounds (unless you’re very unlucky!), so knowing you have thought through all the possible objections before making your application will take you a long way. Hopefully you can deal with them before they turn into an issue.

     

    There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to planning

    Unless you are building on a site like Graven Hill, where the planning has been done upfront and you simply have to adhere to the parameters, the planning constraints of your self build site are a slightly grey area. It takes you being in the process to unravel them one hundred percent (and even then different people may end up with different outcomes).

    For example, there were no set parameters for the height of my own house.

     

    Find out more

    Visit the website of Parsons + Whittley

    Follow Parsons + Whittley on Twitter

    Please connect with me

  • HPH175 : From briefing to planning – with Chris Parsons

    HPH175 : From briefing to planning – with Chris Parsons

    Interview with Chris Parsons

    Ben reviews the journey from briefing to planning stage for his own self-build project, with their architect Chris Parsons from Parsons & Whittley.

    Initial sketches seek to reconcile constraints and opportunities

    After their briefing session with Ben & Kay, Parsons & Whittley set about sketching some ideas to see how the whole brief could come together. Constraints (such as where the building can be situated, the orientation etc.) and opportunities (for example nice views) needed to be incorporated into the designs.

    The firm uses SketchUp for initial designs through to the planning stage; this 3-D software enables them to play with shapes to try to find a form that works.

    When you add materials, the building takes on a different identity

    Chris explains it was a deliberate decision to omit materials from the first sketches sent to Ben & Kay, as materials can have a significant impact on how a building looks and the first task was to isolate the form.

    They had some ideas about materials when producing the first sketches, but when they put them onto the model in SketchUp, Chris felt it might be a step too far at that point to try and get commitment on material choices.

    Involving planners early on can inform the end design

    After a bit of feedback from Ben & Kay about the form and floor layout, Parsons & Whittley submitted updated designs. The planners flagged a potential issue with the height of the building, which could affect the neighbour.

    As Chris puts it, “There’s no such thing really as a right to a view and there’s not much in terms of a right to light. However, the planners aren’t going to approve something that seriously impacts on the amenity and the enjoyment of the neighbour.”

    Therefore both neighbours and the surrounding area have to be kept in mind during the design phase. The following measures were taken for Ben & Kay’s house to address the issue:

    • Ridge height reduced
    • Small catslide element put across the lesser status rooms at the back
    • House repositioned slightly further away from neighbour than in the earlier consent

    Specific materials may have architectural implications

    Chris recalls that trying to find the right material balance for what they were trying to achieve required some ‘toing and froing’. Brick and barn aesthetics were discussed, along with black weatherboard, but Ben & Key felt this to be too strong. A rendered look was more appealing, but perhaps not for the whole building.

    This thinking, along with trying to avoid overlooking the neighbour, meant different materials were considered for different elements and started to introduce a degree of complexity that neither party really wanted. However it was a valuable process that resulted in a return to a simpler form but with a provision to protect the neighbour’s privacy.

    Understand the local vernacular in terms of materials

    Chris explains that once form and scale have been agreed, the following questions will help work out what finishes will be applied to the outside:

    • What are appropriate materials for the location and setting?
    • What does the client like?
    • Are there issues around maintenance and longevity of certain materials?

    It’s also time to decide how the house will be built, using timber frame or masonry, for example. Kay expressed an interest in a soft lime rendered finish and to do that properly, Chris felt it would be easiest and most cost-effective to apply that to a masonry external skin.

    It’ll be a whole lot easier if you avoid the green belt

    Parsons & Whittley eventually managed to track down a copy of the green belt area, which they then transferred onto their plans. This showed the planners they weren’t straying into the green belt, only coming up to the edge of it so that the house would be as far away from the neighbour as possible and maximise the amount of private garden for Ben & Kay.

    Anticipate what planners are going to ask you

    Chris’s advice is to think carefully about what you’ll need to demonstrate within all of the documents being submitted as part of a planning application.

    SketchUp allows them to position the house “in the real world”, so they did quite a lot of work in terms of a ‘shadow study’ for Ben & Kay’s project. By setting a date and time within the software, they can see where the shadows are likely to fall and demonstrate there’d be no overshadowing of the neighbour.

    They also developed a cross-section that showed i) the existing consent, ii) all previous consents on the site, and iii) what was now being proposed, for comparison and to dispel concerns of overshadowing.

    Lastly, they ran a straightforward PHPP model (with some assumptions at this stage) and submitted the verification sheet to the planners to support the argument that this will be a Passivhaus.

    A section 73 application to alter existing consent may be appropriate

    You don’t always need to submit a brand new planning application if consent already exists. In Ben & Kay’s case, Chris simply wanted to vary the approved drawings.

    This was a tactical decision given the proximity of the site to the green belt. As the principle of building on it has already been established, the section 73 application allows the planning officer to determine if this dwelling they’re now presented with is acceptable in planning terms.

    Changes in legislation require planning departments to list the drawings that they’ve approved, which makes it easier to pursue this route of seeking to change approved drawings rather than revisiting the whole policy of ‘can I have a house there?’.

    It’s not always a straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’ planning decision

    Planners are required to make a decision within eight weeks from the date of validation. Chris says that most planning authorities get about 90–95% of decisions through in that period of time. If decisions need to go to a committee, then the timeframe might be extended but only with permission. If they can’t make a decision within eight weeks, applicants have the option to appeal to the Secretary of State against non-determination. However this isn’t a process Chris would recommend as it would likely take at least six months to get through it.

    The outcome will be yes or no but might be a yes with conditions, some of which the applicant isn’t happy about. If the planners were to refuse the section 73 application submitted on behalf of Ben & Kay, they could only do so on planning grounds. Parsons & Whittley would look at what those planning grounds were and advise on the best way to proceed. This may be simply amending the design to satisfy the planner’s concerns and re-submitting, which within 12 months for the same type of application does not carry a fee.

    The appeal route would remain a last resort. However, Chris argues it shouldn’t get to that point as a good architect will stay in contact with the officer during the eight-week review period to ascertain if there are any objections that can be resolved before any decision is made.

    Find out more

    Visit the website of Parsons + Whittley

    Follow Parsons + Whittley on Twitter

    Transcript

    Download a transcript of the interview with Chris Parsons

    Please connect with me

  • HPH174 : Addressing height issues on our self build

    HPH174 : Addressing height issues on our self build

    Ben and Kay Adam-Smith visit their architects Parsons + Whittley to discuss how to move their project forward. There are decisions to be made over which designs to pursue, what materials to embrace and how to address the various constraints (including bringing down the height of the building).

     

    The story so far

    After buying a plot of land and hiring our architecture firm, we briefed them on what we were after.

    We really liked our first sketches back and we developed the floor plan within. Chris also submitted these sketches to the local planning department for feedback.

    Whilst waiting for the feedback from the planners, we had moved onto materials.

    The first option presented to us was a brick finish.

    The second option embraced black timber cladding (more of a barn aesthetic).

    Kay and I felt these routes weren’t quite right for us.

    And we asked about whether we could break up the building by using more than one material (e.g. lime render, lighter timber cladding, etc.). Little did we know that this suggestion would mean redesigning the house!

    However, this was also at the stage where the planners had fed back that they wanted the height of our building to be more in line with the extant consent.

     

    So the third option, which now addresses the height of the building and therefore the amenity of the neighbour (really down to overshadowing and view of the sky), is a house that steps down.

     

    The fourth route introduced something called a cat slide at the back of the house as a way to prevent a loss of amenity for the neighbour.

     

    These were the options we discussed in the meeting but we were keen to return to a simpler form if possible.

    The route we chose to pursue returned almost to the initial designs but with a cat slide at the back.

     

    Our finished house designs

    Find out more

    Visit the website of Parsons + Whittley

    Follow Parsons + Whittley on Twitter

     

    Please connect with me

  • HPH165 : Feeding back to our architect

    HPH165 : Feeding back to our architect

    Ben and Kay Adam-Smith receive initial sketches of their new home from their architects Parsons + Whittley. They then feedback to John over the phone.

    Chris also outlines how this stage works and explains why it is so important.

    Sketches are an inexpensive way to start the design process

    It’s an exciting time when you get to this part of your self build. You’ve briefed your architect (or designer) and you await their interpretation of the house you want. How close will they get?

    ‘Sketch perspectives’ – as the words suggest – try to give the house a three dimensional feel. The ‘sketch plans’ provide a two dimensional overhead view of the internal layout.

    Feedback is almost as important as the initial briefing

    All design is iterative and as such this initial feedback is the beginning of the process.

    It will also be the first time the architect will find out whether they’ve understood the brief and have started to deliver it.

    Inevitably there will be things that have been misunderstood or misinterpreted, and this is where the refining begins.

    Feedback the positives and negatives

    Chris says: “We always tell people we’re really thick-skinned and you need to be honest with us once you’ve seen our first designs, but it’s nicer if people do it politely rather than being a little bit blunt.”

    As with any feedback, include what you like as well as what you’d like developed.

    Keep feeding back until you’re happy

    The design stage is all about refining the requirements and developing the designs, and the feedback should flow freely.

    You shouldn’t ever be afraid to feedback. This is fundamentally about getting the home you want.

    However, once the project has moved into technical design or even going to tender out to tender there will be implications of making changes – cost, time, etc.

    Ben’s sketch development so far . . .

    Take a look at my short screen recording that shows you how the designs have evolved with our feedback.

    Find out more

    Visit the website of Parsons + Whittley

    Follow Chris Parsons on Twitter

    Please connect with me

  • HPH162 : Briefing our architect for our house build

    HPH162 : Briefing our architect for our house build

    Ben and Kay Adam-Smith sit down with Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley to run through the brief for their self build project.

     

    Discussing our self build project brief

    This podcast is slightly different to normal because we’re eavesdropping on a meeting! And this is no ordinary meeting: it’s the initial briefing session with our Passivhaus architecture specialists, Parsons + Whittley. Chris and John sat down with us.

    So, we hear a few extracts from that meeting.

     

    Items on the agenda

    • Our accommodation requirements
    • Budget
    • Stylistic preferences
    • Constraints (including planning history)

     

    There’s no such word as ‘no’ when compiling the brief

    As Kay reads through our list of accommodation requirements, she gets to the snug room.

    Kay says: “I’d really love a fireplace but I’m told I can’t have a fireplace!”

    Chris responds: “There’s no such thing as can’t. Everyone recognises the emotional attachment to a heat source. It can be done. We have done wood-burners, for example. You need a really good one because you need to control the air supply etcetera.”

    However, Chris goes on to explain that one of the underlying benefits of a Passivhaus is that they are ‘innately comfortable’. With the indoor environment so pleasant, you don’t come into the house and shiver . . . and so there’s no need to sit around a heat source.

     

    How could we build in flexibility?

    Where we currently live (with a floor area of 60 square metres) has been a squeeze as our family has grown. This has meant we can no longer have guests to stay unless they are prepared to brave the sofa.

    So in our new house we’d love some flexibility of how we might accommodate more guests at Christmas, for example, without building five guest rooms!

    We are keen to use all the space every day (or get as close to this mantra as we possibly can); and let rooms do double duty when we have people to stay.

     

    Creating ample storage space

    With an attic brimming with ‘stuff’ we highlight storage as being something that’s important in the new house.

    Accustomed to using our attic space, we ask Chris whether building a warm roof (also known as a Cathedral roof) is the best option.

    Chris replies: “I would rather keep everything within a simple thermal envelope because that just makes it easier to build, cheaper to build, more efficient, more effective. To disrupt that for storage . . . maybe there are better options.”

    Having all of our possessions within the house would also make them easier to access. Plus we might be more ruthless in accessing whether we really need everything (or can have a clear-out).

     

    Where is the balance between traditional and modern?

    While my aesthetic tastes have broadened since launching the podcast, Kay’s favourite buildings are period properties.

    That said, we both like modern interiors – open plan living, big windows that bring in lots of light, etc.

    So while the external appearance matters to me it is not as important as designing a house that all the family loves. So, how do we do this?

    Chris explains: “It’s about distilling what it is that you like about that [the buildings you love] and trying to make sure we deliver it. We might be a little bit subtle about how we make sure it’s still a modern home, in terms of the facilities, the way that you use it, the spaces that are available.”

    Chris continues: “So they do present conflicts, because the kind of stuff you like [old cottages etc.] is driven from an architectural vernacular which is quite limiting in terms of the spaces available. It was basically driven by how big a tree can you find. Because if you’re going to have a rafter or beam you’re limited by the size you can get.”

     

    Building with ‘natural’ materials will have a cost impact

    Kay and I are both drawn to materials like straw bales, lime render, clay plaster, thatched roofs, etc.

    Upon hearing our list Chris wanted to chip in: “There’s a sort of sliding scale of really super-duper, sustainable materials which is almost diametrically opposed to the costs.”

    “The most efficient material is probably not the nicest for the planet but will give us the best cost output. So somewhere on the spectrum I need to understand where you are sitting.”

    We decided that we were tending more towards the ‘ecological’ materials but probably not going to the extreme.

     

    Next steps

    After our meeting (which was probably closer to 2 hours rather than the 30-minute podcast), Chris and John went to look at the plot.

    Now they have all the information they need to create some sketches (either hand-drawn or in SketchUp).

     

    Find out more

    Visit the website of Parsons + Whittley

    Follow on Chris Parsons on Twitter

    Please connect with me

  • HPH161 : How I chose an architect for my Passivhaus project – with Ben Adam-Smith

    HPH161 : How I chose an architect for my Passivhaus project – with Ben Adam-Smith

    Ben Adam-Smith shares what he’s learnt during the process of hiring an architect for his self build project.

     

    When things take longer than you hope, there might be an upside

    It’s four and a half years since I first came up with the idea of building my own home. Up until recently, when I bought a piece of land, I have had little to show for my efforts. That does not mean it’s been wasted time.

    In many ways, my unusual path has led to me being more confident in my decisions.

     

    Engage with construction folk at every opportunity

    One thing I did well – albeit by accident – was to start networking with architects, builders, etc. long before I ever needed to hire anyone.

    I remember attending my first AECB Conference at Goldsmiths University in the summer of 2012 and proclaiming I was going to build my own home. Everyone just kept asking: “Have you got your land yet?” I made a mental note that this was clearly an indicator of how ready you are to build: in other words I wasn’t that ready.

    By attending smaller green building conferences (rather than a vast show like Ecobuild) I was able to meet industry folk and learn at the same time. Often the seminars went over my head, but they were always interesting and had something for me to glean.

    My work has resulted in more networking

    Running Regen Media, a production company that helps green builders promote themselves using new media, has been another networking gem. Work takes me to see all manner of buildings and I get to hear the stories behind them.

    And as I grew more and more confident that one of my project goals was to build a Passivhaus, there’s no doubt that working with the Passivhaus Trust was a great opportunity to meet more of the right people.

    Find out more about the Passivhaus Trust’s self build campaign

     

    While it’s unlikely you’ll make connections in the same way I did, take advantage of events like the Passivhaus Open Days.

     

    Trust your gut when choosing

    I don’t know about you but I tend to make a lot of decisions based on gut feeling. After gathering information I make a decision, stick to it, and try and learn from it if it all goes wrong.

    This philosophy has served me well in life and I had no plan to change things here.

    So, my shortlist came together without much deliberation:

    Eco Design Consultants

    Good Architecture

    Parsons + Whittley

     

    Passivhaus experience, a local firm, and a good relationship were important

    What you want to build will ultimately influence your choice of architect. I’ve visited so many Passivhaus standard homes that when I step into a traditionally built house, however splendid, something feels wrong! Therefore working with an architect who really ‘gets’ Passivhaus was a priority.

    I was also keen to engage with a practice that wasn’t too far away. So I ruled out anyone in London. I was after someone with a sense of the area.

    Another key factor was hiring someone that I felt I was on my wavelength. For example, I have seen self build projects that I love, but I wouldn’t dream of working with those architects because of the way they treat staff or some story that has worked its way back to me.

    With a strong shortlist, hopefully all roads lead to a successful outcome.

     

     

    Prepare yourself for questions that might come your way!

    We met on site with each of the architects to have a chat, and then had a coffee to discuss how they might work.

    All of them wanted to know what build route we would be taking. It’s funny that this question took me by surprise. In some respects I imagined this might be something that the architect would advise on! However, I suppose I know that I want as little involvement as possible, so that will push me to the contractor end of the scale.

     

    Are there differences between hiring a solo architect versus an architecture firm?

    This was a point where I really struggled.

    A larger firm will have more projects going through which will mean yours is just another project. Perhaps a solo architect would be more attentive? Or is the reverse actually true?

    Does a firm, by its nature, have a broader scope of design? What if you don’t like designs from the solo architect?

    Which will be more efficient? It could go either way.

    I don’t know the answers but I feel this is an avenue to explore.

     

    RIBA’s stages made cost comparisons easier

    It’s interesting how the early stages of design actually account for little of what you might eventually pay an architect.

    Each of the architects were comparable in price in the design and planning stages.

    Where things really differed were when we get to the build stage of the project.

    We had fixed fees versus percentage of the build cost to weigh up.

     

    The practice we appointed

    We decided to hire Parsons + Whittley as our architecture firm.

    As I’ve mentioned already, this was to do with having visited a number of Chris’ projects and been impressed.

    I also liked the fact that Chris is not the architect! Our architect will be John; Chris, as he often says himself, is the strategy man.

    We also face a challenge in that my wife doesn’t like new builds! Personally I feel that she will like it if we can get the design right. Some of that may actually involve a change in our attitude and I’m hopeful that Chris is the person to help us on that journey. I just have a feeling he will say the right thing or educate us where we need to challenge our thinking.

     

    Find out more

    Visit the website of Parsons + Whittley

    Follow Chris Parsons on Twitter

     

    The National Self Build and Renovation Show

    Ben Adam-Smith will be sharing some of his self build journey at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre. He’ll be talking at 1pm on Friday 27th January and Sunday 29th January. On the Saturday he’ll be trying to sell his house (to free up equity for his self build)!

    To find out where Ben will be speaking next or when the next House Planning Help meet-up will be, check out our events page.

     

    Please connect with me

  • HPH131 : Building a home in your garden for your retirement – with Robert Young

    HPH131 : Building a home in your garden for your retirement – with Robert Young

    Robert Young explains why he decided to build a home for his retirement at the end of the garden and what steps were necessary to create this low maintenance, high comfort dwelling.

    Robert-Young

     

    Interview with Robert Young

    Robert and his family lived in a large Victorian house, which was originally the infirmary for Swaffham’s workhouse. After 30 years there and with his children having left home, he and his wife Jane finally decided they needed to downsize to a property that be cheaper and easier to run, and offer them a high level of comfort.

    As the Victorian house had a generous garden, they realised that could easily build a new home within it without diminishing the nature of the existing property.

    Robert has always thought that it’s sensible to do things before you have to and so they wanted to prepare for a time when they may not be as mobile.

     

    Building to Passivhaus standard was a goal from the outset

    Although the idea of building a house was incubating in their minds it was only after Robert attended a talk at his local rotary club that he gained a clear direction. The theme was domestic architecture and looked at past vernacular as well as future developments. Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley spoke of a Passivhaus future where buildings were constructed with much more attention to detail. Some of the benefits included lower heating bills and higher levels of comfort, which immediately appealed to Robert.

    As part of their research they went to visit Denby Dale Passivhaus and they were impressed.

    Robert's-plot

    A dendrologist assessed the impact of a mature tree on the plot

    Their new home – with a floor area of 110m2 – would sit on a plot of 500m2 but it would have to be shared with a mature lime tree that had a Tree Preservation Order on it.

    A dendrologist plotted all the trees in the area and was confident they could build several metres away for the giant lime. The pile foundations and concrete raft would also protect them from any root growth, although this was thought to be minimal.

    pile-and-raft-foundation

    Give your architect the freedom to do a good job

    Robert and Jane’s original brief was simple. They wanted a two bedroom bungalow with en suite facilities, a living room and an open plan kitchen diner.

    Other than that they were prepared to trust their architect Chris to come up with the best design possible. They were in no way prescriptive.

     

    The design of their home embraced their biggest constraint

    With the lime tree a dominant feature on the plot, the house wraps itself in a curve around it.

    Most rooms look towards the tree, except for the living room which gazes back at their old Victorian home.

    The tree also provides shade in the summer which reduces the chances of overheating in the Passivhaus.

     

    The winning contractor was keen to do Passivhaus

    The specification went out to five local builders, but the winning contractor showed a strong desire to do a good job.

    Although they hadn’t built to Passivhaus standard before they put their entire team through the Certified Passive House Tradesperson Course from the Passivhaus Trust.

    Robert believes that having the same team on site the whole way through, rather than subcontractors, was a huge benefit.

     

    A covenant was added to the deeds of their old house

    Robert and Jane sold their home before the build began and rented a cottage in a nearby village.

    They did update the deeds of their old home to include a covenant that stated that a two storey building could not be erected in front of their fence, which would block out the sunlight.

    curved-brick-walls

    The builders plotted the curve using GPS

    Lime Tree Passivhaus is a cavity wall construction.

    When the bricklayers were creating the curve they plotted it using GPS facilities, breaking down the units into ever smaller and smaller sections, so that no more than two or three bricks were laid before they took another check on the alignment of the curve.

    The build took just 8 months to complete, which was exactly on schedule.

     

    Decisions were often made on a financial basis

    As with any build they had to stick to a budget and Robert says that was one of the trickiest parts.

    Not everything could be top of the range so they had to think carefully where they wanted to spend their money and make some compromises.

     

    Swapping an old house for a new house was not difficult!

    After 30 years in his old Victorian home, Robert anticipated it might be difficult to move . . . but he says personally it wasn’t and it was time to go.

    “We’re very comfortable in the house. It meets all the requirements that we have and there were no exaggerated claims about the comfort of a Passivhaus so we’re very happy.”

     

    Lime-tree-passivhaus

    The UK Passivhaus Awards

    This year the UK Passivhaus Awards is focusing on self builds so it’s right up our street! Take a look at the projects that have made the shortlist.

     

    Transcript

    Download a transcript of the interview with Robert Young.

     

    Please connect with me

  • HPH058 : Does it Cost More to Build a Passivhaus? – with Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley

    Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley architects shares his experience of the costs behind Passivhaus.

    Chris outside

    Interview with Chris Parsons

    Chris Parsons from Parsons + Whittley architects has always had a focus on making buildings as efficient as they can possibly be. With the issues around global warming and trying to reduce carbon emissions, this is why they found a great synergy with Passivhaus.

     

    Achieving Passivhaus in Larger Buildings Can Have Less Impact on Cost

    The larger the building, the more efficient form factor you have and the less impact there is on cost.

    However with smaller buildings, such as the domestic dwellings being delivered by Parsons + Whittley in the social housing arena, there is always an impact on cost.

    N.B. This episode (from this point onwards) is specifically talking about smaller residential buildings.

     

    Costs Will Increase Because There’s More in the Fabric of the Building

    There are practical reasons why a Passivhaus will cost more than a traditionally built house:

    1. There is often a lot more insulation being used
    2. Windows and doors are much better specification, and hence cost more
    3. The ventilation strategy often uses mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
    4. Addressing airtightness will require certain additional products

    On the flip side, there is likely to be a simpler mechanical infrastructure in the house because there will be a reduced heating requirement.

     

    There are Big Benefits for a Comparatively Small Extra Cost

    By investing a little extra to create a building that reaches the Passivhaus standard, there are numerous advantages:

    1. The building will use less energy, thus reducing running costs. This also means there are fewer carbon emissions.
    2. The building will be more comfortable and have a healthy environment (improved air quality).
    3. The building will cost less to maintain because it has been built to a higher quality.

     

    Legislation is Needed to Improve the Quality of All Housing

    If the capital cost of housing is divorced from the running costs (as is currently the case in the UK) there is little incentive for developers to build to a high quality, particularly if they can already sell their houses! For this reason Chris believes building regulations should be tightened up.

     

    There’s a 15% Uplift for a Passivhaus Scheme

    Chris shares information from his Passivhaus schemes.

     

    Wimbish

    This was Chris’ first scheme, 14 dwellings in Essex. At the time the construction industry (in the UK) hadn’t delivered Passivhaus in a multi-unit arena before and as a consequence procurement was a challenge. A cost exercise with another 14 unit (Code for Sustainable Homes – Level 4) revealed that they paid a 12% premium to reach Passivhaus standard.

    Wimbish

    Wimbish Passivhaus scheme in Essex

    Ditchingham

    The Ditchingham scheme was built at a time when the housing market was going through a downturn. With the same contractor they were able to secure it for a 6% increase.

    However, over the course of the project they realised that perhaps this was more to do with negotiation than actual cost.

    Ditchingham

    Ditchingham Passivhaus scheme in Norfolk

    Burnham Overy Staithe

    More recent schemes have generally been shown to be around the 12-15% uplift.

    Burnham-Overy-Staithe

    Burnham Overy Staithe Passivhaus scheme in Norfolk

    Chris concludes: “At the moment we are around about 15% more for a Passivhaus scheme over and above the standard we would otherwise deliver.”

    There is a Cost Attached to Risk

    Chris explains that there is a difference between cost and price.

    A contractor will always build in a contingency to cover the unexpected (and in the early days Passivhaus was an unknown!). So even if the contractor believes the cost is X, they will assess the risk and add Y.

    This means that the price to the client will be X + Y.

    Chris believes that if the client were prepared to take on the risk, they would reduce their costs in the long run.

     

    Embracing Simplicity Will Keep Costs Down

    What Chris likes about the Passivhaus standard is that it comes down to a set of numbers.

    He says: “As a designer you can start with a pencil sketch, run it through the software [PHPP], make sure that you are somewhere near those numbers and then continue to develop the scheme. Every time we’ve done that, simplicity has been the easiest way to achieve the target.”

    This is about simplicity in terms of detailing and how the space is used.

     

    A Passivhaus is Worth More in Europe

    If there is demand for buildings that meet the Passivhaus standard and people recognise the value of it, then it may get to the stage where people are prepared to pay a premium for it.

    In parts of Europe this is already the case, where that premium is 3 – 5% more.

    Chris concludes: “If I was going to pay some extra money for a Passivhaus, I would want to be sure it was one so I would like to see certification adopted as a means of quality control and a means of quality assurance.”

     

     

    Find Out More

    Parsons + Whittley

    Follow Chris Parsons on Twitter

     

    Transcript

    Download a transcript of the interview with Chris Parsons.

     

    Please Connect With Me