Home  5  Books  5  GBEzine  5  News  5  HelpDesk  5  Register  5  GreenBuilding.co.uk
Not signed in (Sign In)

Categories



Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.
Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


powered by Surfing Waves




Vanilla 1.0.3 is a product of Lussumo. More Information: Documentation, Community Support.

Welcome to new Forum Visitors
 Join the forum now and benefit from discussions with thousands of other green building fans and discounts on Green Building Press publications: Apply now.

The AECB accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Views given in posts are not necessarily the views of the AECB.



Housing - New Build: What construction method to use?

Bottom of Page

1 to 7 of 7

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorPaulJ
    • CommentTimeFeb 5th 2013
     
    The project is for a terrace of seven houses in Sussex , next to the river. As part of the works we will carry out improvements to the river wall. The ground floor needs to be flood resilient, so will probably be blockwork / steel but I would consider another method for upper floors.

    Elevations are finished in natural slate and painted (Cedral?) weatherboard. Roof is natural slate with flat roof terraces to 3 units. Target u values are walls 0.15, roof and floors 0.13. There are lots of awkward junctions / balconies / terraces to consider. They need to be NHBC compliant. The foundations will be piled – probably with a raft.

    What do you think is the best construction method for the buildings?
    • CommentAuthorPaulJ
    • CommentTimeFeb 5th 2013
     
    and the back...
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeFeb 5th 2013
     
    ....how high from the 'normal' river level?:confused:
    • CommentAuthorPaulJ
    • CommentTimeFeb 5th 2013
     
    The river is tidal. Low tide shown in pic. High tide can bee seen from the green on the adjacent buildings.
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeFeb 5th 2013 edited
     
    How about a steel portal frame structure for the flood-prone ground floor level, with infill block work clad in weather board to match the rest of the building.

    Next I'd design a timber frame passive house home to sit on top of the steel frame, whilst at the same time eliminate the awkward junctions.

    You could go for steel free-standing balconies, so as to eliminate cold bridging with the passive house.
    • CommentAuthorPaulJ
    • CommentTimeFeb 5th 2013
     
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: Triassic</cite>How about a steel portal frame structure for the flood-prone ground floor level, with infill block work clad in weather board to match the rest of the building.</blockquote>
    Sounds sensible. Do you have any suggestions for how we insulate - internal / external / cavity?
    <blockquote>
    Next I'd design a timber frame passive house home to sit on top of the steel frame, whilst at the same time eliminate the awkward junctions.
    </blockquote>
    I have done a few houses with timber frame so I am fairly comfortable with this. I have never attempted a passive house, but if it could be achieved with little additional cost I would consider it.
    Again, placing the right insulation in the right area, plus dealing with the junction with the floor below will be crucial. Also, with timber frame I would want to be extra sure to reduce fire risk.
    <blockquote>
    You could go for steel free-standing balconies, so as to eliminate cold bridging with the passive house.</blockquote>
    Yes, I have done bolt-on steel balconies with timber frame before. They are a pain when they have terraces - going into the building - as the floor / downstairs ceiling needs insulating.
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeFeb 5th 2013 edited
     
    If the ground floor is susceptible to flooding maybe best not to worry too much about insulation, keep the space for car parking, storage, play rooms etc.

    For the ground floor steel structure, If it were me I’d go for infill block work with external insulation, finished in waterproof render. If the steel structure were capped off with a concrete 1st floor this would provide a fire barrier between the garages and the house, and give a solid foundation off which to construct the passive house.

    If you want to look at various construction options why not look at www.viking-house.co.uk/ and click on the “construction methods” link or Google “Passive House construction”. My understanding is that passive house construction methods should only add 5% to the total cost. Others here may have more information.

1 to 7 of 7

  1.  
Add your comments

    Username Password
  • Format comments as
 
Back to Discussions Top of Page
   
The Ecobuilding Buzz
Site Map    |   Home    |   View Cart    |   Pressroom   |   Business   |   Links   
Logout    

© Green Building Press