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Callaughton Ash
Drawing on local vernacular this affordable housing scheme built to Passivhaus standards aims to provide a model for rural developments in the West Midlands.
About this project
Located on a greenfield site in Callaughtons Ash, Much Wenlock, the development provides 12 one, two and three-bedroom homes, of which two are shared ownership and 10 for social rent.
Fuel poverty was a main concern for the client, a housing association. As a result, the homes were designed following Passivhaus principles which can minimise operational costs to around £100 per year for the average house.
The houses are arranged around a central shared public green space for use by the new community. Through collaboration with local groups, native tree species and wildflower meadows planting form a central part of the development.
Local vernacular for a circular economy
Investigating the local vernaculars of Shropshire, the development aims to sit comfortably in its rural surroundings, complimented by a natural palette of UK sourced materials. This includes clay roof tiles that have been quarried and made within 25 miles of the site, lime render provided by a local supplier and UK grown thermally modified hardwood cladding, promoting the Housing Associations aims for a cohesive circular economy in Shropshire.
A participatory approach
Design process began in 2015, with representatives sitting on a project board to help decide location, layout and type of construction. With the guidance of SSHA’s community led building consultancy, Marches Community Land Trust Services (CLTs), and adhering to the Much Wenlock Community Plan, representatives learned about construction methods, decided on landscaping and visited the local timber frame manufacturer to see the house frames in construction.
Children from Much Wenlock Primary School have also been involved by taking part in a site safety poster competition and making a visit to the site to learn about Passivhaus principles.
Technical data
Type Of Project: Affordable Housing
Project Value: £2m
Start on site: April 2017. Completion: July 2018.
Gross internal floor area: 3 x 3 bed @84m2, 7 x 2 bed @ 74m2, 2 x 1 bed @ 50m2
Construction type: Timber frame new build
Air tightness levels: ≤0.6ach @50pascals
Predicted energy demands: heating demand 15kWh/m2.a, primary energy demand 120kWh/m2.a