The Big Build
Since Offsite2007, we've added four new builds to the BRE Innovation Park, and for INSITE09 we add a mobile operating theatre and part of a modualr hotel build system too.
Work is complete at the hemp built Renewable House be launched at INSITE09. Rapid progress is being made on the Prince of Wales Foundation for the Built Environment Natural House, and the Willmott Dixon Community Healthcare campus, the UKs first, is ready to show. The section from the volumetric modular hotel building has arrived (seen below being unloaded) and landcaping works have literally gone up the walls!
You can follow the progress of the work through Peter White's regularly updated photo blog
An overview of the work in progress:
The Natural House by The Prince of Wales' architectural charity, the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, is a low energy home built from natural materials which will demonstrate an alternative response to sustainable homebuilding. Aiming to achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes it will deliver significant energy savings, from its manufacture through to its daily use. It will also offer good indoor air quality and be simple to construct. Please note: work is well advanced with the Natural House, but owing to contractural difficulties beyond our control the building will not be complete for the opening of INSITE09 and access will not be possible.Daily demonstrations of the build system and 'have a go sessions' will take place in front of the house.
The Renewable House aims to demonstrate how low costs and renewable materials are compatible in sustainable housing delivery. Showcasing materials like timber, hemp and wool the house is aiming to achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes with the house in its basic form, with additional, optional packages available to achieve Levels 5 and 6. Partners include Department for Energy and Climate Change, the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), Empire Homes, the Linford Group and Lime Technology.
The CREO House by European manufacturer and developer Creo Prokoncept, together with industry partners, will build a four-storey, residential apartment block with provision for a ground floor retail unit. The walls roof and floors will be constructed using CREO Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF). Due to completed in the Autumn, it aims to be affordable and aims to achieve Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.For Insite 09 the building will present a chance to see each of the construction stages, left exposed for the show.
The Willmott Dixon Community Healthcare Campus will demonstrate how best to achieve zero carbon in line with the NHS's 2018 target. It features passively ventilated consulting rooms, and a carbon neutral non-invasive suite with a solar wall, along with a 'smart' reception area using electronic tags and digital records, telecare monitoring that can link to nearby Assisted Living Homes, a pharmacy of the future, an outdoor green gym, and healthy food growing area on the roof terrace
A new landscaping Scheme has been incorporated into the latest development phase of the Park. The innovative design by architects PRP, is based around the winning entry from a competition run by the British Homes Awards in partnership with The Landscape Institute and BRE. It will link the original Park area with the new buildings, and complement the existing landscape to create a sense of community, home and healthy lifestyle. It includes demonstations of the latest developments in permeable paving, outdoor sculpture, and even a green wall of edible plants.
