Elemental Solutions

scope: Energy concept, design consultancy and site support including construction details and certification support. Working with Alan Clarke, Architype, E3 and Fabrite Construction.

aims: Ultra low energy archive building.

measures: Extreme air-tighness, ground coupled masonry building with timber and recycled newspaper insulation zone.

monitoring: Ongoing energy environmental conditions monitoring to validate design target. Airtightness n50 result 0f 0.03 h-1 (0.06 permeability).

scope: Self build home and office for Elemental Solutions

aims: Low cost, super efficient dwelling in rural location, demonstrating best practice water efficiency measures.

measures: Super-insulation with straw (walls), 100mm polystyrene (floor) and 400mm cellulose fibre (roof). Compost toilet, microbore plumbing, 4 litre ES4 leak-free WC, efficient taps and shower. Wastewater to shallow infiltration system in woodland. Solar water heating with single woodstove for space and winter water heating.

monitoring: Airtightness 1.38m/h (after 2 years occupation and before leak fixing). Water use 50 litres/person/day. Electricity 3.85 kW.h/d (10.8kW.h/m2/year). Wood use not yet measured but estimated to be 2.5T/y including winter hot water. Propane for cooking about 45kg/y. Annual CO2 870kg with 2 person occupancy. usable floor area is approximately 130m2. Water use is 50 litres/person/day

Rural domestic Passivhaus near Presteigne with Dempsey Decourcy architects and Mike Whitfield Construction.

Innovative timber I stud construction with recycled newspaper insulation and low cost aluzinc corrugated roofing profile.