Passivhaus Low Energy
Clyro is a development of 13 highly energy efficient dwellings in Clyro for Powys County Council, again with JEHU. The units are constructed from a twin wall system using home-grown timber and filled with a warmcel insulation.
The Passivhaus low energy scheme comprises of a number of different units from one-bedroom bungalows to 4 bedroom houses. The development is trialling new heating solutions and construction methods to achieve a high thermal rating to the walls, floors and ceilings and flexible living spaces with a strong focus on Welsh timber. This project was part of the Home-Grown Homes initiative.
The exciting Innovation was to build two different build methodologies on the same site for true comparisons. Some were designed to Passive House (Passivhaus) principles and the others to Nett zero carbon.
The outcomes of this project will be scrutinised through whole-life cost reduction, whole life carbon reduction and building performance evaluation in collaboration with the Home-Grown Homes project.
Based on the outcomes of this unique scheme, recommendations can then be made for any new development in Powys, or throughout Wales, to deliver innovation at scale.
The timber frames have been manufactured and erected using home-grown timber supplied by Pontrilas Sawmills near Hereford.
As well as being designed to achieve an impressive environmental performance, the project includes houses, bungalows and flats. The homes have living spaces designed to be open, light and airy reflecting the kind of challenges we’ve all faced during the pandemic and its ‘stay at home’ restrictions.
Lowfield Timber Frames has a strong focus on helping to build greener and react to the climate change emergency by actively promoting the use of materials with low embodied carbon, helping achieve NET Zero, Passivhaus build standard. Manufacturing timber frames for commercial buildings, residential developments, and private self-builders. This enables the client to have a final product which requires very little energy and heating, reducung carbon footprint and saving money in the current fuel cost of living crisis.
Local solutions
The ambition was to source skills and materials needed to build the homes as close to Clyro as possible. The design team included George and Tomos (Machynlleth based architects), Hydrock (Cardiff based engineering specialists) and Bridgend based contractors Jehu who are committed to using local tradespeople in the build.
Powys County Council’s Building Homes Team project managed with Project Officer Simone Hodges leading on the project. The timber frames have been manufactured and erected by Lowfield Timber Frames, using home-grown timber supplied by Pontrilas Sawmills near Hereford. PYC, also from Welshpool, have installed the cellulose insulation. The homes will feature local larch cladding supplied by Llandre Sawn Timber near Llandrindod Wells.
