PHI Architects was contracted to design a Passivhaus dream home for Steve and Mel Howarth.
In their original brief, the couple demonstrated an eagerness to utilise off-site fabrication by specifying a structural insulated panel construction. The Kingspan TEK Building System was selected to form the walls and roof of the development in response to this.
Working in conjunction with Point1 Building Systems, PHI Architects fitted the system to achieve the building design. The first floor rooms benefit from open ‘vaulted’ ceilings, which create the illusion of space.
Featuring an OSB/3 either side of an insulated core, the Kingspan TEK Building System panels are able to deliver U-values of at least 0.20 W/m2.K. Panels of a 172mm thickness, which are also available from the Kingspan TEK range, are able to achieve lower U-values of 0.16 W/m2.K.
With assistance from Point1 Building Systems, Kingspan Insulation developed a special specification for the development, to practically eliminate thermal bridging.
Additional membranes and tapes were installed with the system to minimise air leakage throughout the property. The system was able to achieve an airtightness test result of 0.45 air change per hour @ 50 pa: a good result, such as this, can reduce energy consumption by 1 kwh/m2/a.
The build was able to meet Passivhaus requirements.
Original link - Building Talk
