2009 British Homes Awards Entry

Higgs Young Architects design "Sunrise Sunset  House" for British Homes Awards 2009 is a two storey terrace with elevations facing west and east. A Narrow 5m frontage gains daylight and sunlight from an internal central atrium. Roof mounted solar panels are organised on a ‘chessboard’ layout to avoid overshadowing. Passive heat storage and recycling is provided in the thermal mass of stone gabions on west eand east elevations.  Efficient heating, ventilation, heat recovery, insulation and sealed envelope reduce energy demand can be  by 80% with the remaining 20% micro-generated from building integrated renewable technologies.

Solar thermal heating will provide 60 % of annual domestic hot water. A 3 kW peak system photovoltaic (4m x 6m panels) would provide 2250kw/ h annum equivalent to 80% of energy for a typical house from a renewable supply.

Building materials are supplied from renewable and sustainable sources -  Timber frame construction and organic insulation, Non sulphur plaster construction for walls.. Organic paints, natural timber and clay tile floor coverings. Rainwater from roofs is stored for recycling for landscape irrigation. Efficient taps and appliances minimise water consumption. Green roofs  retain rain water runoff and create a natural habitat. Separated storage for waste products is provided recycling to reduce waste including composting for organic waste with methane extraction. Secure cycle storageis provided  within house plots and recharging points for electric cars.

All aspects of a lifetime home are provided within the design: Ground floor layout which can accommodate a bedroom, Ground floor accessible WC, Manoeuvring space for wheelchairs, Straight flight staircase suitable for stair lift, Potential for lift access to upper floors by adapting the lightwell, Bedrooms and bathrooms designed to facilitate hoists , Additional storage space ,Room layouts for furniture achieving maximum HQI points, Sliding acoustic partitions/doors allows layout flexibility.