The Goatshed is a bespoke commission for a private client
Let’s take a quick look at some of the features that make the Goatshed remarkable, from its fabric first construction, through to its MVHR system, PV panels and Sunamp thermal battery.
An exemplar of eco-living
The Goatshed has been built to Passivhaus standard.
It’s wrapped top to toe in insulation and super airtight (the home must have a maximum of 0.6 air changes per hour). In addition, it is fitted with triple glazed windows, extremely well-ventilated (with heat recovery) and free from thermal bridges.
The Goatshed’s exterior is as visually striking as it is sustainable. Clad in larch, a durable and weather-resistant wood, the step-profiled, vertical boards will ensure the building will blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
The standing seam, powder-coated pitched roof not only adds a contemporary touch, but also serves as the perfect host for directly integrated Catnic SolarSeam PV panels. These laminated solar panels harness the power of the sun, generating renewable energy to power the home and contribute to a reduced carbon footprint.
The doors and the floors have been designed to be Part M compliant in the future.
Rationel Windows Triple Glazing
The Goatshed is fitted with triple glazing from Rationel Windows. The glazing panes are precision engineered and filled with argon gas, greatly enhancing their thermal insulation capabilities. Triple glazed windows are an essential part of Passivhaus methodology and will ensure that the Goatshed remains well-insulated throughout the seasons – reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling.
Brink 225 MVHR System
Ventilation with heat recovery is one of the five fundamental principles of Passivhaus. As such, the Goatshed is equipped with a Brink 225 MVHR system – installed by CVC Systems. This MVHR system circulates fresh air while recovering and reusing heat from the outgoing air, maintaining a comfortable and healthy living environment for the occupants.
Sunamp Thermino ePV Thermal Battery
To ensure a sustainable and efficient hot water supply, the Goatshed is equipped with a Sunamp Thermino ePV thermal battery. The Sunamp replaces a direct cylinder to deliver hot water efficiently throughout the day from the photovoltaic panels on the roof.
Interested in building your own Passivhaus?
The Passivhaus standard, fast gaining popularity in the UK for constructing low-energy buildings, emphasises a ‘fabric first’ approach. This involves creating a building with a highly insulated and airtight envelope to significantly minimise space heating demand.
To achieve the Passivhaus standard, a building must meet the following criteria:
- Achieve airtightness with less than 0.6 air changes per hour at a pressure of 50Pa
- Limit space heating demand to no more than 15 kWh/m2/yr
- Ensure that exterior walls exhibit a U-value lower than 0.15 W/m2K
- Install super-insulated windows with a U-value below 0.8 W/m2K, typically achieved through triple glazing, and a g-value of 50% to harness solar heat
The Goatshed was constructed at our offsite factory in Norwich, Norfolk. We can build in multiple different ways – from providing the airtight structural thermal envelope, through to a full turnkey project management service.
To find out more about our services, visit the self build page on our website.
