The 5 bed property was constructed to be energy efficient - 450mm solid thermal mass walls at ground floor level and a super-insulated timber frame on first floor. South facing, full height, glazing maximises solar gain and heats the water pipes that run in the thermal floor under the tiled surface.

PRESS RELEASE
March 2006

BROWN FIELD ECO PROPERTY COMPLETE
Old Orchard, Henbury


Exedra architects announce the completion of a sustainable, ecological, private home in the village of Henbury, near Bristol.

Work commenced on the project in September 2002 and the owners moved in 2004. The original building, the Dower House, was demolished in the 1950's to make way for a development of medium rise council flats, which were never built and the location remained undeveloped as a brown field site.

Old Orchard was developed at the rear of an existing house that used to be the male servant quarters for the main Dower House. The new house faces due south and sits behind an existing stone wall, which is on the main road to the village of Henbury.

The property has five bedrooms and was constructed to be energy efficient with 450mm solid thermal mass walls at ground floor level and a super-insulated timber frame on the first floor. The main frames of the building are Glulam columns and beams, which enable the ground floor to be open plan and 1 ½ storeys in height across its south facing elevation. The ground floor is used as a thermal store. The north elevation has minimal windows to allow cross ventilation to take place through the living areas on warm summer days.


The south facing, full height, glazing maximises solar gain and heats the water pipes that run in the thermal floor under the tiled surface. This warmed water filters back to the hot water tank and boosts the heat before additional heat is required to warm the water to usable temperatures. The positioning of deciduous trees across the garden provides shade during the summer while also allowing the sun to penetrate the house in winter.

The house was a self-build project with the client managing the tradesmen and construction of many of the items themselves.

Daren Drage, design director at exedra architects said: 'The use of this brown field site as a family home is part of our progressive work in this type of environmental regeneration. We adhere to very strict environmental policies for all our developments and environmental solutions are investigated on all our projects, whether the client's brief requests an explicitly green design or not.'

'However, in the case of The Old Orchard, all parties were very keen to explore as many environmental solutions as possible and we are delighted to have worked so closely with the owner in order to help him achieve his goal.'

exedra architects have over 10 years experience in designing ecological and environmental friendly properties having completed the 'Ecological House' in Redland, Bristol in 1997.. They have also undertaken a speculative design of an eco-village for a zero energy development on a brown field site on the banks of the River Thames.

Ends

For further information, please contact Daren Drage Tel 020 8390 0210
ddrage@exedra-architects.co.uk

Issued by Kate Newman, Tel: 020 8399 7478 katenewman@tiscali.co.uk

Notes to editor:

• Since its formation in 1999, exedra architects have sought to develop a multi-disciplined framework that has the ability and expertise to address all forms of complex design scenarios.

• High resolution photos including before and after shots can be viewed and downloaded from web site www.exedra-architects.co.uk

• exedra architects involve and encourage all their staff and clients to consider the design and use of products with their effect on the current and future climate ecology of the planet. Environmental solutions are investigated on all of the practice's projects whether the client's brief requests an overtly green design or not.