Highest possible energy efficiency…

Based on a previous planning permission that had been awarded to our clients, Ecotecture were appointed to take the project forward in a more eco-friendly manner than had first been envisaged.

To do this we adapted the previous plans to increase the efficiency, and then re-submitted the planning application. This allows the client to attain the SEDA (south east development agency) grant that is available. This planning permission will see the conversion of an old redundant corn barn into a new office development for fourteen offices with facilities. The barn is made from an old pre-cast concrete structure which we will be converting.

The concept for this project was to achieve a low energy office conversion using Passivhaus principles, which meant that the existing planning permission had to be altered in order to reduce thermal bridging and air tightness issues.

All change on the southern front…
The changes saw a decrease of glazing on the north elevation and increased glazing on the south side in order to make the most of the solar gain that is available. We have designed a glazing and solar shading scheme that will prevent the building from overheating. This also allowed for a more impressive entrance to be designed. In order to get close to the Passivhaus standard we have endeavored to achieve a high level of air tightness. In addition to this the roof plan was also modified with the implementation of roof lights, to improve the day lighting within the offices, the introduction of photovoltaics and thermal panels. The plan is to be able to generate enough electricity that it could then be sold back to the national grid. The project is designed to meet an A on the commercial EPC rating, which is impressive for a conversion of an existing structure.