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Blue House-built by pensioners,

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Individual Self-Build in Bicester South and Ambrosden

completed: 2018


About this home:

As we wanted to construct to PassivHaus standard, taking on most of the work ourselves, and having nothing to do with the building trade, we had to find more DIYable building methods. In order to achieve a complete thermal envelope without thermal bridging we decided on an insulated raft (with UFH pipes incorporated). Walls are ICF made from recycled pallets and roof structure is reinforced polystyrene planks. This combination provided our required high thermal mass to ensure temperature stability. The entire building is covered with raised seam metal cladding. Triple glazed aluminium windows to reduce heat loss and Brize Soleil to minimize over heating. Solar panels, battery storage ASHP and MVHR and home automation to aid efficiency.


Features:

Individual Self-Build icon

Individual Self-Build

Recycled Materials icon

Recycled Materials

MVHR icon

MVHR

Solar Panels icon

Solar Panels

Air Source Heat Pump icon

Air Source Heat Pump

PassivHaus icon

PassivHaus

Officer Delegated Decision icon

Officer Delegated Decision

Accessible Design icon

Accessible Design

Featured on Grand Designs icon

Featured on Grand Designs

Innovative Materials icon

Innovative Materials

Innovative Construction Techniques icon

Innovative Construction Techniques

Airtight Design icon

Airtight Design

Smart Home Technology icon

Smart Home Technology


Planning Insights:

1 months at planning

Self Build plots on Graven Hill, Bicester, come with a pre-approved planning passport. As long as planned project satisfies the pre-agreed list of conditions then approval should only take 1 month.



Project Challenges

Council wanted piled foundations.

To achieve thermal envelope and no thermal bridging we required insulated raft instead. To solve problem a team of structural engineers were required to prove that the raft works on the site's clay.

Solo building is almost impossible

Working alongside other self-builders can help share ideas/tools/materials and labour. Listening to others can be very inspiring.

Costs of hiring tools

Tool hire can be very expensive. Consider buying "used" and then able to keep on site for entire project, not just for essential times, and then re-selling afterwards. This can save a lot of money.

Contact us

Get in touch

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Email

Our friendly team is here to help.

info@livedin.co.uk

Office

Come say hello at our office HQ (by appointment only)

St Marys Mill, Chalford, Stroud, Glos

Phone

Mon-Fri from 9am to 5pm.

01453 733 913