46 PROJECT REPORT
for certification, several key features were incorporated. hey installed air source heat pumps and airtightness was carefully improved to reduce heat loss, while thermal bridging was meticulously addressed to prevent unwanted heat transfer, eplains ourihan. aps larger than mm in the envelope for eample at junction points or where vents penetrate the structure) were not permitted.
igh performance triple glaed windows were used to minimise energy loss and improve insulation, along with the high levels of insulation installed. fficient appliances and upgraded ventilation systems were also utilised. ogether, these elements work to create a more sustainable, comfortable, and energy efficient living environment, ourihan says.
ourihan estimates that the total added cost of these measures was around the m mark, adding to the total project cost. hankfully, he adds, this was offset by the financial support received by omes ngland and A, as well as the money ali omes was investing in itself.
he process and steps to be taken in order to achieve certification was a challenge of its own. As well as the project requiring a Passivhaus designer or consultant, an independent certifier guided and oversaw the entire process. he certifier conducts an initial review at A tage , a design review at A tage , and a construction review at A tage , which includes regular site inspections and uality assurance, aigh eplains.
n order to ensure this process ran smoothly, close collaboration with main contractor Eric Wright Construction was critical. he team undertook an airtightness test on a mock-up which helped them identify any potential issues before construction began, thus reducing the risk of potential costly corrections. etailed planning ensured that the final As uilt assessment and certification aligned seamlessly with the practical completion, says aigh. Despite the additional measures reuired by the stringent certification process, aigh says its key in order to verify the building meets the energy performance targets outlined initially. The meticulous attention to detail during construction also mitigates the likelihood of damage to the building fabric, helping futureproof the building generally. uckily, the contractor embraced these standards, implementing strong quality control measures, says ourihan. he high sustainability and performance standards proved to be a challenge generally, with ourihan
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describing a limited level of eperience within the supply chain as another key obstacle encountered. owever, he says o address this, we engaged with contractors early in the process and collaborated with all stakeholders from the outset, ensuring a shared commitment to meeting project standards. ollaborating with stakeholders throughout the process was also essential from a risk management perspective. reenhaus had contractual obligations to deliver a assivhaus certified, high uality development, says ourihan. nderstanding these obligations and associated risks required careful planning to ensure all contractual standards were met and risks were mitigated. ollaboration in general proved to be essential in the success of the project, particularly given it was the first assivhaus project for ali omes, use and uttress. t was a learning curve for us all, and collaboration and communication between the partners has been key throughout, urner says. A key factor in the projects success was the engagement with a project team that fully understood the demands of Passivhaus accreditation and were committed to its successful delivery, adds aigh. n particular ric right Construction, working with the design team, happily established uality control procedures that minimised risk. his included the testing of prototypes and the inspection and testing of building work as it made progress.
Although the project was an overwhelming success, that’s not to say there werent lessons learned during it. A critical lesson was the importance of managing costs effectively and utilising assivhaus lanning ackage as a design tool to evaluate various options throughout the project, ourihan says. Another lesson, he says, was the importance of precision construction, and the need to manage tolerances carefully, emphasising that the need for tight quality control of work shouldn’t be underestimated.
e believes the team gained valuable insights into how best to deliver sustainability targets at this level. rojects like this can be achieved primarily with standard technologies, although early engagement with the supply chain is essential due to limited availability of certain specialised materials, he says.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
he team behind reenhaus believe its proof of what can be achieved, even on projects of this sie and tenure, with ourihan saying it sets an important eample. owever, he also acknowledges
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