Home Optimising the Use of Solar Energy www.nottinghamhouse.co.uk
A 45-strong team of students from The University of Nottingham are representing Britain in the first ever Solar Decathlon Europe, to compete against other universities from across the World in designing, building and test-driving Europe’s most energy efficient home. The Nottingham H.O.U.S.E (a family home optimising the use of solar energy) is the result of academics, researchers and students from the various disciplines in the Department of the Built Environment collaborating with a select group of industrial sponsors and specialist consultants. This full-scale home is designed to the world’s most stringent design codes German Passivhaus Institute Design, UK Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 (Zero-carbon), Lifetime Homes compliant & Secured by Design compliant. This is the first time all these codes have been have been complied within a house of this type - this in itself is a massive challenge regardless of the fact we are using students to design and build it. It will be a fully functioning home which is UK building regulations compliant. The house has attracted major sponsorship from Saint Gobain - a world leader in the design, production and distribution of construction materials, plus a number of important players in the Built environment industry which are aiming to lead the way in the future of sustainable architecture.
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The Nottingham H.O.U.S.E has many novel features to reduce energy, such as a new low energy cooling system de-
veloped by the University and partners. The home’s modular volumetric design allows it to be transported and assembled rapidly.
Now, the H.O.U.S.E’s low energy technologies are being put to the test in the Solar Decathlon competition’s 10 separate areas of expertise:
In March, the H.O.U.S.E was shipped from Nottingham to London to be assembled for the first time at Ecobuild 2010, the world’s largest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment. At the beginning of June it travelled again, right here to the Villar Solar in Madrid, where the students team assembled it and landscaped the garden in just a week.
• The architectural merit of their home • Industrialisation and market viability • Engineering and construction • Solar systems • Electrical energy balance • Comfort conditions • Communication and social awareness • Household functionality • Innovation • Sustainability
This booklet details how the design of the H.O.U.S.E responds to each of the above criteria, as well as telling a little of the story of the project.
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House Optimising the U The Nottingham H.O.U.S.E was originally designed by Rachel Lee, Ben Hopkins and Chris Dalton, through a diploma studio at the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of the Built Environment. Groups of 5th year and Masters students of architecture were asked to produce designs for a Zero Carbon house which could compete in the Solar Decathlon Europe competition, but would also form part of a sustainable masterplan in a deprived area of Nottingham.
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e Use of Solar Energy Once the winning proposal had been selected, all of the students came together to refine the design, aided by consultation with industry partners for technical advice on products which would meet the ethos of sustainability, economy and innovation. Once the design had been progressed to a suitable stage, a unit of thirty second-year architecture students and fifteen third-year MEng students was enlisted to help build the H.O.U.S.E, and it is this prototype which stands before you today.
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First Floor
Ground Floor
+01 ARCHITECTURE
The Nottingham HOUSE has been designed for a small â&#x20AC;&#x153;starterâ&#x20AC;? family. In addition, it provides interesting and useful spaces to encourage and support family life. Furthermore, it offers comfortable interior spaces regardless of the season, nor the time of year, by employing environmental strategies that minimize energy consumption. Sustainability as a concept has been explored through the idea of treating the H.O.U.S.E as a module and using its repetition to form a continuous urban fabric. In doing so, this creates an extensive urban landscape.
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+02 ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
ACOUSTIC CEILING & WALL PANEL SYSTEMS GULL WING TRIPLE GLAZED SKYLIGHT
PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
PTFE SHEERFILL V FABRIC ROOF MEMBRANE ALUMINIUM DOWN PIPES
ALUMINIUM CLADDING CHANNELS AND COPINGS
LOW ENERGY LIGHTING ECOS ORGANIC PAINTS EXPOSED PLYWOOD
ENGINEERED TIMBER CASSETTE STRUCTURES
SANITARYWARE & FITTINGS, SOLAR PANELS (AVANCIS)
THERMOWOOD CLADDING
MVHR UNIT
THERMAL & ACOUSTIC INSULATION + AIRTIGHTNESS MEMBRANE
SOIL AND DRAIN, AND RAINWATER SYSTEMS
RIGIDUR H LINING
GREY WATER RECYCLING UNIT
WORK SURFACES AND BAMBOO FLOOR
KITCHEN, GENERAL BUILDING MATERIALS, TOOL HIRE & PPE TM
MICROWATT CONTROL SYSTEMS
WINDOWS
BESPOKE TIMBER DOORS
GLASS BALUSTRADES
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION
CRANE OPERATIONS FUNDATIONS ON FINAL LOCATION
A prefabricated modular construction scheme was employed to enable an efficient and controlled construction process, as well as to facilitate its transport to the site using lorries. Materials were chosen with regards to minimizing total energy consumptions and maintaining an inexpensive structural scheme. This also allows the student team to build the majority of the house, as well as providing alternative teaching methods.
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+03 SOLAR SYSTEMS Two types of solar energy systems have been developed in order to meet the house’s full energy demands: • Solar Electric Energy Demand • Solar Thermal Energy Demand
daily Water budget
• Shower 50 Lt
Using a water budget that is specific to two people living in a house, it has been calculated that each person will require 50 litres of water at 60oC per day (which will be mixed with cold water afterwards). To obtain this, 9.45KWh/day will be required. This requirement will be met using solar thermal energy technology. In this case, a 5m2 horizontal solar collector has been integrated into the roof.
• Dish washer 15 Lt • Washing machine 50 Lt
• Water for dinner party 15 Lt • Cooking 2.3 Lt
• Passive downdraught evaporative cooling 80 Lt
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Solar Thermal Technology Solar collector: 5m2 • Hot water for 2 people = 50 Lt / 60oC daily
• Lighting • Electrical appliances • Heating & Cooling
The energy balance analysis illustrated in the graph shows a surplus of electrical energy generated by the PV array when compared to the electrical energy demands of the house. This surplus will be exported to the grid, allowing energy demands to be offset when they are not met by the PV array. As a result, the house achieves full energy self-sufficiency.
33%
electrical energy balance graph
Lighting & appliances
42%
Top up water heating
Space conditioning
16% 4.5%
4.5%
Surplus
Pumps
+04 ELECTRICAL ENERGY BALANCE
Solar Electric Thecnology PV Array 24m2
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+05 COMFORT CONDITIONS
• Temperature • Humidity • Acoustic • Lighting • Air quality
Passive environmental design strategies have been incorporated into the design to provide a comfortable environment. The building envelope is heavily insulated and the use of glazing is controlled to offer good daylight, to reduce summer gains and to maximize winter gains. The PV array system on the roof prevents excess solar gains, and provides electricity to run the mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system. These systems are used for ventilation, heating, and cooling when passive methods are inappropriate. In addition, a Passive Evaporative Cooling System has been developed in the double height space. These cooling strategy challenges will take their full effect in the Madrid summer.
• Winter Solstice
• Summer Solstice SHADOW ANALYSIS
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VENTILATION STRATEGY
+06 APPLIANCES
Computer
Tumble dryer TV & DVD Player Dining
Dishwasher
Cooker & oven
Washing machine Fridge & Freezer
Lighting and appliances have the highest energy demands within the house. As a result, a 24m2 PV array is incorporated on the roof to meet these electrical demands of a contemporary house.
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6 2:00
2:00
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For the last two years, The team has developed an intense communications strategy using a variety of marketing techniques and organising public activities to raise awareness and involve the project in the public eye. This has included workshops with Special Professors, participation at an event in Madrid, press events with the sponsors, etc.
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3:00
3:00
PANELS AND DISPLAY CONTENTS (FIRST FLOOR): Room 02 L. Relevant images of all research projects presented M. Summary of projects, location map, main objectives of the research division (confirm data / source)
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Room 03 AND DISPLAY CONTENTS (GROUND FLOOR): PANELS N. PHDC - Brian Ford & Mirentxu Ulloa MAINLY IMAGES OF STUDENTS BUILDING THE HOUSE O.H Coolphase - David Etheridge PANEL SPONSORS ARE NAMED AND DESCRIBED AROUND THE HOUSE AXO VIEW P. I PulseSPONSORS Leakage Testing - Ed/ ALL Cooper J PLASMA 3 / SPONSORS INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF PANEL I
Gro
P L O
room 03
N room 02
M
A key element for disseminating the project has been our presence on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites; but also extremely important was our presence at Ecobuild 2010 and our various VIP day events, chiefly the Sat Bains Cookery Masterclass. Both these events are detailed in this brochure.
Q R room 04
www.nottinghamhouse.co.uk
ENTRANCE HALL / THE PROCESS / 2:00 CORNER / THE SYSTEMS, KITCHEN, ETC / 3:00 LIVING / THE EXPERIENCE / 3:00 COURTYARD / FINAL WORDS AND FURTHER CONSULTATION (SAINT GOBAIN PERSON) / 3:00 SUB GROUP WAITING AREA TO GO UPSTAIRS (ACADEMIC AND INDUSTRIAL INTEREST) STAIRS TO GET TO 1ST FLOOR STAND EXIT
Projection or 4 A1 portrait posters containing finished interiors renders
+07 COMMUNICATIONS & SOCIAL AWARENESS
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T
S
or
t flo
Firs
Room 04 Q. CCS in building materials - Mercedes Maroto-Valer (confirm location) R. Microwave exfoliation of vermiculite – Chris Dodds (confirm location) S. ETC – Keith Baker (confirm location) T. Relevant MSc programmes/Faculty/UoN info – Jill Minter
POSSIBLE BOYS MADRID CASUAL/CONSTRUCTION ATTIRE
Assembly process
+08 INDUSTRIALIZATION & MARKET VIABILITY Our approach is orientated towards starter families, which happens to be a major requirement into the UK today. The design is a two-storey solution, which acts as part of a housing system that could potentially generate extensive urban landscapes. More specifically, each module could either form half of a semi-detached house or be part of a terrace, as well as continuing to provide each family with a private outdoor space. The environmental strategies developed allow the house to be used in a widerange of geographical contexts, either within the UK or throughout Europe. As a result, the chosen construction system is highly industrialized and employs a modular system which can be prefabricated, packaged and transported to a variety of sites. Nevertheless, it continues to sustain an efficient and controlled construction process.
Animation used in a promotional video showing the journey of the house from Nottigham to Madrid
ONSTRUCTION ATTIRE
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The H.O.U.S.E is designed as a system that can be used in many different climatic contexts, therefore enhancing its market viability. Its systems can be adapted so that the house can perform efficiently in the southern conditions of Europe (Madrid), where the double height space is used for passive cooling through the evaporative system, as well as in the North of Europe (Nottingham), where the same space is used for passive ventilation through the stack effect. An integral part of the Nottingham House design was the decision to create a two-story building that is “L” shaped on plan in order to provide a courtyard garden. This external space provides shading in summer and a focus for the public areas of the house. Furthermore, it allows the family to grow some of its own food, which often forms a large part of the family’s energy footprint. Environmental design stategies Summer Day
Summer Night
Spring Day
+09 INNOVATION & +10 SUSTAINABILITY >14
These two aspects of the contest represent the strategic components of the proposal compared to the preceding 8 aspects and therefore are evaluated together.
Grouping possibilities The possibility of being able to form groups of the house enables the creation of sustainable communities and would therefore boost the use of systems and strategies.
Spring Night
Winter Day
Winter Night
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+MEAL WITH SAT BAINS
chef, and Ian Dexter, an awardwinning landscape designer, to help us conceive a menu that uses traditional British ingredients (sourced from the houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own garden) but blends them with a Spanish twist.
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One of the tasks we undertake during the Solar Decathlon competition involves inviting fellow competitors to dinner to demonstrate the effectiveness and energy efficiency of the house - but also to share something special. We teamed up with Sat Bains, a Nottingham-based Michelin Star
The Sat Bains Cookery Masterclass VIP event took place in May, in Studio 7 of the Kings Meadow Campus at the University of Nottingham the very studios weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been building the H.O.U.S.E in! Tom Corbett and Emily Costain, both members of the H.O.U.S.E Communications team, cooked alongside the Michelin star chef in front of a live studio audience. The event was an opportunity for the
Nottingham H.O.U.S.E. team to thank the industrial sponsors of this project, without whom we would not have been able to compete. The Comms team will try to reproduce this same meal - without Sat! - during the competition this June.
+AROUND THE WORLD...
AT ECOBUILD There have been many unifying and uplifting moments throughout this project, but the king of all these rushes was seeing the H.O.U.S.E., the planters, the posters and all standing vibrant and proud on the first morning of Ecobuild 2010. Held in Earlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Court Olympia, London, Ecobuild is biggest event in the world for sustainable design and construction. Over 1,000 organisations exhibit each year, representing the entire spectrum
of sustainable construction products for new build, refurbishment, residential and commercial projects.
AT SHANGHAI EXPO 2010
We were kindly invited to exhbit at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event, which also offered us a chance to practice both the transport and assembly of the modules, and the presentation of the project. We had many key visitors from the entire sphere of the built environment, including the then Minister for Housing. The HOUSE was awarded the first prize for best use of timber.
The Nottingham H.O.U.S.E. (scale model, posters & videos) is being exhibited as part of the Zero-Carbon, Zero Waste exhibit in the Zero Carbon,Zero Waste Pavilion and is a part of the Nottingham University and United Kingdom presence at the Shanghai Expo 2010. www.nottingham.ac.uk/shanghaiexpo2010
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+ PROJECT SPONSORS >18
Institutional sponsors:
Solar Decathlon Europe Corporate sponsor:
The University of Nottingham
Faculty of Engineering
Saint-Gobain is the world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of construction materials, and is committed to meeting the fundamental challenges facing society today of growth, energy and the environment. Some of the UK and Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best known and respected companies, including those highlighted below, are part of Saint-Gobain. Together they offer high performance products and systems that can help to deliver low and zero carbon homes and buildings, as demonstrated in the Nottingham HOUSE.
Avancis
British Gypsum
Ecophon
Graham
Photovoltaic Systems
Rigidur H Lining
Acoustic Ceiling & Wall Panel Systems
Sanitaryware and fittings, solar panels (Avancis)
International Decorative Surfaces
International Timber
Isover
Jewson
Work surfaces & bamboo floor
Thermowood cladding & external decking
Thermal and Acoustic Insulation
Kitchen, general building materials, tool hire and PPE
Pasquill
Saint-Gobain PAM
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics
Solaglas
Engineered Timber cassette structures
Soil and drain, and rainwater systems
PTFE covering
Windows and doors + Gull wing skylight & balustrades
Marley Alutec
Aluminium downpipes
Netta
FSC Timber, 6x12mm BB grade birch ply
Consultancy sponsors (project Partners): Saint-Gobain
Building technologies and materials consultant
Marsh & Grochowski Architects
Architecture detailing and building control
Dewhurst MacFarlane and partners
Consulting structural and façade engineers
Max Fordham Consulting Engineers
M&E engineering
Davis Langdon
Quantity survey and cost estimation
Evoenergy
Photovoltaic systems
MicroWatt
Consulting microelectronics and software engineers
Microwatt
Control Systems & monitoring
Photonstar
Low Energy Lighting
Ecoplay
Grey water recycling system
Greenwood Airvac
MVHR unit
Vaillant
equipment
SIKA
Sarnafil single ply PVC roof membrane
Roger Bullivant
Foundations for house on final location
Birmingham Powder Coaters
Polyester Powder Coating to aluminium flashings and copings
Inbuilt
Crown Aluminium
Fabrication of aluminium flashing details
Performance assessment consultancy
Nick Whitehouse MBE
Engineering consultant
ECOS Organic Paints Interior finishing for Rigidur boards AM Profiles
Aluminum profiles
Logistics sponsors: Logistics, transportation of the house DHL Supply Chain
Roger Bullivant
Crane operations in association with Crane Hire Solutions Ltd interior design & equipment
+ PROJECT SPONSORS
Other construction sponsors:
Communications sponsors: Ecobuild
Stand
Sat Bains
Menu design & Executive Chef
Lime Orchard (Ian Dexter)
Landscaping design
Philip Lee
Food technologies
CG Vision (Ed Collard)
Video
Eight days a week printing solutions
Brochure printing
John e Wrights printers
Posters printing
TM
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BEN HOPKINS - RACHEL LEE - CHRIS DALTON - GUILLERMO GUZMAN - MARK GILLOTT - DAVE OLIVER BRIAN FORD - MICHAEL STACEY - MICHAEL SIEBERT - NINA HORMAZABAL - JOSÉ ANDRE - JONATHAN BARRON - TIMEKA BEECHAM - PETER BLUNDY - CHRISTIAN BRAILEY - THOMAS CORBETT - EMILY COSTAIN - ASH EVANS - VICTORIA FILLINGHAM - REBECCA FORD - SAMMY FULLER-TEED - PHILIP GILDER - ALISDAIR GRAY - HANNAH GRIFFITHS - TEUTA HASANI - BENJAMIN HEEDE - CHAPMAN KAN - UNJULEE KARADIA SIMON KINVIG - FRANCES KIRK - MANYA KRISHNASWAMY - JOE LEACH - FRANCES LISTER - STEPHEN LLOYD - STEPHEN LOVEJOY - GARETH MARRIOTT - WILLIAM MARSHALL - DANIEL MCKIE - LUCIA MILONE - BHAVIK MORAR - JANET PANG - TRUSHA PATEL - WLLIAM SLACK - MUSTAFA TEKMAN - KATHERINE TOKARSKI ELIZABETH VINCENT - LOUISE VITTY - WANG MANG YUAN - LONG-FEI XIANG - JOSEPH YATES - PAWAN SHARMA - IZZI SMITH - JULIE-ANNE WALKER - and many more....
www.nottinghamhouse.co.uk Produced by the communications team of the Nottingham HOUSE at the Department of the Built Environment. Printed by Comunicacion Impresa s.l. Madrid, Spain in June 2010. Solar Decathlon Edition: 5,000 units