Hi Everyone,
I have been reading the site for some time, but now I am about to start building a new house.

I am about to get permission to build a large new house in Edinburgh. It is 1.5 and 2.5 stories high with a 500 square metre footprint and close to 1000 square metre internal area.

I am aiming for a very well insulated house but not quite passive standards. Passive slab, wall with 0.15 u value and triple glazing. The house will also have an indoor pool heated using solar.

I am working on the building warrant with my architect and now we have to make the final decision on build route.

I was hoping to use ICF as I currently live in a timber frame house which feels somewhat flimsy to me. I plan to live in this new house for the rest of my life and want to get it exactly right. ICF is also a very good route to build a pool.

I have spoken to some of the ICF companies, but indicative costs for a shell build are off the charts.I have also found a couple of builders who have worked with ICF in Scotland but they are few and far between. I don't feel that I would want to trust the shell build to an inexperienced builder.

My architect is pushing hard to go for a SIPS construction. He believes that I won't be able to tell the difference in terms of solidity and as there are more suppliers and builders familiar with the system then it will be easier to get quotes and a reasonable price for the build.

One thing I am considering is SIPS with hollowcore or posi-joist and screed floors. If there is anything that we do not like about our current house it is bounce in the floors and perhaps SIPS with these flooring methods would be robust enough. However, although it is theoretically possible I have not heard of anyone building a SIPS house with concrete upper floor and I am concerned that some of the longer spans of just over 7 metres may be problematic using posi-joists with the weight of screed.

I did have a brief talk with Seamus at Viking about the project a few days ago and will see what he has to offer. My architect, however feels if we are going for a timber system we should stick with someone local which I think is a fair point.

I would really appreciate any input. I feel slightly stuck in that I do not want to waste people's time getting quotes when I have not decided the build route, but without quotes and at least a shortlist of builders I cannot decide and complete the building warrant.

Thanks for your help
Alistair

Try this one to cheer you up: the future of sips?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgdcBOWPYZc&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs