Style and sustainability in housing
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Creating attractive, comfortable and sustainable developments is the main goal for the housing sector today, which has been tasked with improving energy efficiency to meet demanding new performance standards in light of the commitment to the fight against global warming.
Optimising natural daylight penetration has been proven to help reduce energy usage and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions as well as improving occupants' health, so incorporating rooflights - the most effective method of providing even, consistent daylight - is an increasingly popular option for house builders. Providing they are thermally efficient, achieving a U-value of 2.2 W/m2K, they will fully comply with the requirements of the new Regulations.
However, many modern rooflights are mass produced, bulky and aesthetically unsuitable for period properties and restoration projects, so finding the right balance between up-to-the-minute performance specifications and a suitable design in one product can be difficult.
Formed in 1993 to address this very problem, specialist manufacturers of UK-based Rooflight Company created the original Conservation Rooflight, which has recently been featured in two very different new projects.
Albert Mill, Manchester Urban Splash, the developer behind some of the UK's most exciting urban regeneration projects, is renovating a historic Manchester building to create 21 'shell' apartments that allow purchasers to design their own interior for their perfect home. The Albert Mill is a Grade II Listed former cotton mill of early to mid-19th century origin. As it is a rare and important industrial site, the development retains the language of the former mill building with the use of a strong red brick façade, and many of its original features - such as the steel columns, brickwork and roof beams have been preserved and incorporated into the apartments. 41 linked Conservation Rooflights are being installed to provide natural light to the mezzanine bed decks. Selected for its authentic period design, high quality construction and energy efficiency, the Conservation Rooflight is frequently specified for projects of this type
Tom Fenton, Associate Director for Urban Splash, explains: "With 'shell' apartments such as these, we are pioneering a new concept within the housing market, providing just the four walls, capped services, windows and front doors. Developing cutting edge solutions to modern day living, however, also means delivering sustainable solutions, so we are extremely selective about the products and materials used on our projects. The Conservation Rooflight meets the requirements in terms of looks and performance, blending in unobtrusively with the existing Victorian architecture."
Moving from the contemporary urban living of Albert Mill to a more Arcadian setting comprising breathtaking greenbelt views stretching across The Cheshire Plain, Bexton Hall offers a different proposition altogether - the opportunity to live in a country manor house on the edge of town. The restoration of this elegant late 17th Century building features generously proportioned rooms and aims to deliver perfect calm, with a sense of openness and space. In addition to the main house, three stylish and traditional architectural barn conversions offer lavish accommodation for prospective buyers.
Again, the retention of many key original features, including oak beams and pitched pine trusses, has allowed the developer to blend historic details with modern comfort to provide the ideal family home. Formed in 2001, WPI Homes set about building luxury homes with the emphasis on individual design for the discerning client. Like the Albert Mill development, it was imperative that the renovation of Bexton Hall and its barn conversions were carried out sympathetically - hence the specification of the Conservation Rooflight.
Building Manager Dennis Rowland comments: "We were originally using another brand of rooflight, but they were completely unsuitable for the project as they stood out - quite literally! - and were far too modern and chunky for an application such as this. I contacted the Rooflight Company and was very pleased to receive expert advice and assistance on the matter, and now over 20 Conservation Rooflights are helping to illuminate the Hall and its surrounding barns. Along with the excellent service provided, the key reason for this specification was simple - good products with a traditional, low-key style."
Able to satisfy the strict requirements set down by local conservation and planning officers, the Conservation Rooflight is an accurate reproduction of a Victorian model with an ultra-slim profile, glazing bar and fine steel lines. It meets or exceeds all current standards of insulation, weather tightness and safety, and achieves a Uvalue of 1.7 W/m2K. Specifically designed by architect and founder of the Rooflight Company Peter King in 1990 to meet the need for a product appropriate for use in historic applications, it is considered by architects, conservation officers, the National Trust and English Heritage to be the most suitable rooflight for buildings in a traditional context.
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Internet
Optimising natural daylight penetration has been proven to help reduce energy usage and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions as well as improving occupants' health, so incorporating rooflights - the most effective method of providing even, consistent daylight - is an increasingly popular option for house builders. Providing they are thermally efficient, achieving a U-value of 2.2 W/m2K, they will fully comply with the requirements of the new Regulations.
However, many modern rooflights are mass produced, bulky and aesthetically unsuitable for period properties and restoration projects, so finding the right balance between up-to-the-minute performance specifications and a suitable design in one product can be difficult.
Formed in 1993 to address this very problem, specialist manufacturers of UK-based Rooflight Company created the original Conservation Rooflight, which has recently been featured in two very different new projects.
Albert Mill, Manchester Urban Splash, the developer behind some of the UK's most exciting urban regeneration projects, is renovating a historic Manchester building to create 21 'shell' apartments that allow purchasers to design their own interior for their perfect home. The Albert Mill is a Grade II Listed former cotton mill of early to mid-19th century origin. As it is a rare and important industrial site, the development retains the language of the former mill building with the use of a strong red brick façade, and many of its original features - such as the steel columns, brickwork and roof beams have been preserved and incorporated into the apartments. 41 linked Conservation Rooflights are being installed to provide natural light to the mezzanine bed decks. Selected for its authentic period design, high quality construction and energy efficiency, the Conservation Rooflight is frequently specified for projects of this type
Tom Fenton, Associate Director for Urban Splash, explains: "With 'shell' apartments such as these, we are pioneering a new concept within the housing market, providing just the four walls, capped services, windows and front doors. Developing cutting edge solutions to modern day living, however, also means delivering sustainable solutions, so we are extremely selective about the products and materials used on our projects. The Conservation Rooflight meets the requirements in terms of looks and performance, blending in unobtrusively with the existing Victorian architecture."
Moving from the contemporary urban living of Albert Mill to a more Arcadian setting comprising breathtaking greenbelt views stretching across The Cheshire Plain, Bexton Hall offers a different proposition altogether - the opportunity to live in a country manor house on the edge of town. The restoration of this elegant late 17th Century building features generously proportioned rooms and aims to deliver perfect calm, with a sense of openness and space. In addition to the main house, three stylish and traditional architectural barn conversions offer lavish accommodation for prospective buyers.
Again, the retention of many key original features, including oak beams and pitched pine trusses, has allowed the developer to blend historic details with modern comfort to provide the ideal family home. Formed in 2001, WPI Homes set about building luxury homes with the emphasis on individual design for the discerning client. Like the Albert Mill development, it was imperative that the renovation of Bexton Hall and its barn conversions were carried out sympathetically - hence the specification of the Conservation Rooflight.
Building Manager Dennis Rowland comments: "We were originally using another brand of rooflight, but they were completely unsuitable for the project as they stood out - quite literally! - and were far too modern and chunky for an application such as this. I contacted the Rooflight Company and was very pleased to receive expert advice and assistance on the matter, and now over 20 Conservation Rooflights are helping to illuminate the Hall and its surrounding barns. Along with the excellent service provided, the key reason for this specification was simple - good products with a traditional, low-key style."
Able to satisfy the strict requirements set down by local conservation and planning officers, the Conservation Rooflight is an accurate reproduction of a Victorian model with an ultra-slim profile, glazing bar and fine steel lines. It meets or exceeds all current standards of insulation, weather tightness and safety, and achieves a Uvalue of 1.7 W/m2K. Specifically designed by architect and founder of the Rooflight Company Peter King in 1990 to meet the need for a product appropriate for use in historic applications, it is considered by architects, conservation officers, the National Trust and English Heritage to be the most suitable rooflight for buildings in a traditional context.
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Internet