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Design and Construction of the UK’s First Self-Build, Passivhaus Standard, Zero-Energy, Live-Work Demonstrator Studio.

Description:

M²OE³ is a 50m² Passivhaus standard zero-energy, off-grid demonstrator live-work unit developed by the University of Dundee’s MacroMicro research unit. The prototype located in the City’s Botanical Gardens will commence construction in January 2013 with a completion date in May. The design and technologies will be tested in a real-world situation over a period of four years generating understanding of user behaviour and technical performance. The aim is to mainstream regional focused and contextually responsive solutions for off-grid renewable energy buildings in order to address challenges that the construction sector faces in fulfilling the requirements of Scottish Government’s Sullivan Report. It will forge new collaborations between research, design professionals and industry thereby generating new knowledge and solutions that are affordable, self-build and net-zero energy. The building will be open to the public and will showcase these new strategies and their wider applicability to the housing sector and home owners. It will provide a seminar space for outreach activities to industry, the professions, colleges and schools, studio space for the Botanic's artist in residence and office space for Solar Cities Scotland.

The self-build is being delivered by a multi-disciplinary team from across the University comprising the MacroMicro Studio, a Masters Unit within the School of Architecture working together with researchers from the Department of Physics, Mechanical and Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee, and in collaboration with The Wood Studio at Edinburgh Napier University’s Forest Products Research Institute. The project has gained significant support from industry in terms of in-kind expertise, direct funding, with materials and components being contributed for the build. Buro Happold Engineers are providing expertise for the structural design and the Building Control Department at Dundee City Council are advising on regulatory and technical feasibility aspects of the project.

The objectives are to go beyond the UK’s future environmental legislation governing energy efficiency of buildings by providing Passivhaus compliant, off-grid buildings that rely on renewable energy sources as the only means of generating space heating, hot water and power. Preliminary modelling has shown this can be achieved using a 2kW vertical axis wind turbine and  24m² array of photovoltaic panels to run technical systems, LED lighting and appliances. A 60kW/h lithium ion battery unit will provide three days of energy storage needed for mid-winter at 56.45°N. The building also incorporates 6m² solar thermal panels, composting toilet and rainwater harvesting. The construction uses an innovative Scottish manufactured timber system that makes use of locally grown timber in a new, commercially viable structural product that gives increased wall depth while minimising thermal bridging at low cost. The use of a novel foamed concrete raft foundation slab provides structure and insulation in a single material reducing groundwork costs.

Contribute to make this project a reality via Kickstarter.

Please visit the studio website and wordpress blog for more information on this groundbreaking project.

Posted 18 October 2012

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