Read this today-
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1961670,00.html#article_continue

Any thoughts? the article is a little lacking in detail

More details here: http://www.livesmarthome.com/resize/index.php &
http://www.livesmarthome.com/pdf/boKlok%20QA%202.pdf

Looks like ownership (and resale) of these houses will be closely controlled.

Hi Mike,

Maybe not the Ikea model but I feel 'offsite' construction it the way forward, whether using timber or other materials.

Better quailty control, less waste, less fuel miles (less wee trips back and forward to the builders merchants).

Posted By: joconnorSo how are they going to prevent these homes overheating in the warmer months of the year without any thermal mass. In my mind timber frame of this type is not the way to go in the UK.

If building a timber frame home, one should go for at least "Super E" construction. This is the export version of the Canadian R2000 standard and many of the Super E homes constructed in the UK are produced flat-pack. The levels of insulation and air-tightness are such that overheating is not an issue. There are many regions of Canada (mainly maritime) that have a similar climate to the UK and I've never heard of overheating being a problem. Of course, there are regions where air conditioning is required in summer as the average temperature over 24 hours often exceeds 25C (so no amount of thermal mass will help in this situation as the diurnal "low" is not low enough to be comfortable).

More information on the Super E program is here (and includes a list of UK builders) http://www.super-e.com/html/uk/index.php

Paul in Montreal.

Posted By: joconnorSo how are they going to prevent these homes overheating in the warmer months of the year without any thermal mass.

Seasonally optimised solar shading...?

J

Will get the 'quote' thing one day....