Business Description

Energy efficient and Passive House construction, traditional and modern timber framing, conservation building.

Business sector
Conversion of Upper Twyford Barns

scope: Building Contractor for whole project

aims: Rebuild and conversion of two barns of approx 320m2 owned by Duchy of Cornwall into offices for sustainable architects Architype.This project won the national Royal Institute of British Architects Sustainability Award 2007, for the building that most elegantly and durably demonstrates the principles of sustainable architecture.

measures: Roof and wall frames designed to minimise cold bridging.Warmcell insulation in breathable construction. Careful airtightness detailing.Homegrown timber throughout.High performance windows. Woodchip boiler with local supply. Reed bed.Low flush w.c.s, waterless urinals.Low energy lighting.Reclaimed stone,slates and bricks.

monitoring: Awaiting results fom woodchip boiler…..Airtightness in 2010, four years after completion, was permeability of 1.3m3/m2/hr@50pa


New energy efficient house

scope: Building contractor for whole project. Designed by Jim Rann Architects. Building regs and detailing by MWC Ltd.

aims: Oak internal frame with floor beams and 3 upper crucks.External envelope masonite I beams.The idea was to build a house with the feel and soul quality of an old house and the performance of an energy efficient modern house.

measures: Locally grown oak.Warmcell insulation (200mm walls and 300mm roof)with minimal cold bridging.Solid insulated floor slab and masonry internal walls on ground floor for thermal mass.Reclaimed roof tiles.Ecoplus windows and doors.Solar hot water panels and Clearview woodburner heating thermal store, with excess going to underfloor heating. Microbore pipes from manifold to distribute hot water.Ifo low flush w.c.s.Rainwater collection tank to supply commercial herb garden.South facing conservatory.Passive ventilation from wet areas.Careful airtightness detailing to inside and outside of frame.Electrisave electricity monitoring.Low energy lighting throughout.

monitoring: Airtightness test gave unofficial (self tested) permeability result of 1.3m3/m2/hr@50pa.(Building regs reqt. is 10m3/m2/hr).


New certified Passive House

scope: Building contractor for whole project. Designed by Janet Cotterell of CTT Architects. Building Regs and detailing by MWC Ltd. PHPP by Ruth Busbridge. Energy Consultants Alan Clarke and Nick Grant.

aims: New build timber framed Passive House, 140m2 floor area.

measures: Home-grown douglas fir cladding and lime render.High performance windows.Reclaimed slates.Sedum roofs on porch and mvhr shed. Passive house thermal bridge free detailing. Airtightness to PH reqt < 0.6 airch/hr. Low flush w.c.\\\'s. Breathing wall timber frame with warmcell insulation.Solar hot water.Silicate masonry paints.Os floor oils.

monitoring: tbc