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Simplicity in sustainability ,

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Individual Self-Build in Bicester South and Ambrosden

completed: 2018


About this home:

The heating, grey water system and ventilation of the house are all completely passive - requiring no power or pumps. 2000L of hot water can be stored in the heat store along with 2x1000L tanks for storing grey water. A steel frame holds the water tanks in the roof to eliminate the need for pumps. Solar thermal panels on the roof, a wood burner, an air source heat pump and occasionally an immersion heater work together to ensure the house is the perfect temperature and humidity. The untreated timber frame was made offsite and was quickly put together on site by one or two people. Casted in situ, the hempcrete walls are highly insulating, breathable and carbon negative. Clay and lime plaster creates a sleek, cosy interior.


Features:

Officer Delegated Decision icon

Officer Delegated Decision

Featured on Grand Designs icon

Featured on Grand Designs

Innovative Materials icon

Innovative Materials

Innovative Construction Techniques icon

Innovative Construction Techniques

Low Cost Construction icon

Low Cost Construction

Individual Self-Build icon

Individual Self-Build

Offsite Construction icon

Offsite Construction

Timber Frame icon

Timber Frame

Clay Render / Plaster icon

Clay Render / Plaster

Hemp Insulation icon

Hemp Insulation

Wood Fibre Insulation icon

Wood Fibre Insulation

Recycled Materials icon

Recycled Materials

Air Source Heat Pump icon

Air Source Heat Pump


Planning Insights:

1 months at planning

Graven Hill is a Council owned self and custom build development. The self-build plots at Graven Hill all come with a Plot Passport. The Local Development Order sets out the guidelines. If you comply with location, height, size and finishing materials, there should be no barriers in securing planning. The plots are serviced by Graven Hill and the foundations are provided.



Project Challenges

Working with a profit driven company

Unfortunately, the delivery of Graven Hill has turned to volume house building. Foundations are unnecessarily expensive and the company has not stuck to their commendable intentions from 2015.

Careful design to ensure passive ventilation

Every room has a direct vertical route to the heat exchanger, a steel superstructure holds the plant in the roof to emit the need for mechanical pumps. The stairwell acts as an internal stack chimney.

Constrictive Plot Passport

The height restriction was 8.1m. To fit three stories, they had to minimise floor depths and use steel in the roof. The shape of the house is boxy to minimise surface area and to maximise efficiency.

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