Kent

Executive Summary

Thermohouse delivered a low energy family home with the main living spaces capitalising on natural light and the ethos of “bringing the outside in”. The curved building design maximises the views of the garden and natural light. Strategically placed full height glass windows incorporated to maximise passive solar heating. The house features heat recovery and air ventilation system, as well as under floor heating throughout.

This project in Kent didn’t lend itself to traditional methods due to its shape and energy efficiency requirements. The client was trying to achieve a high degree of energy efficiency, speed of construction and economy of costs. The architectural technologist had to balance the unusual design and energy requirements to meet his client’s brief. With Thermohouse, they found an all in one building system (walls, floors and roof) which was both flexible and robust to bring the design to life.

Challenges

This curved dwelling in Kent, presented architectural technologist Paul French with several challenges. He was accustomed to specifying traditional masonry cavity walls and timber frame structures for his projects. However, the curved walls and curved flat roof in this design, would equate to a long and messy building programme and difficulties in achieving his client’s brief for energy efficiency.

How Thermohouse Helped

The Thermohouse system met the energy and contemporary design requirements for this project. Paul French found the system very easy to implement as it was all coordinated by Thermohouse representatives. Compared to traditional methods, it provided a better thermal mass and a far more solid form of construction. The house achieved very good air tightness results and met its requirements for energy savings. Due to its versatile and modular nature, this modern home could be built quickly and easily.

Awards

Voted one of the ‘Best Individual New Homes’ by Sevenoaks Council through the ‘LABC Building Excellence Awards’ 2016 for the South East.