Passivhaus Practical Training Days
Co-housing, sitting lightly in the environment
Certification: Passivhaus Training Course
Status: Ongoing
Location: BE-ST
Overview
Nothing beats trying out building skills on a practical basis.
As part of the Coaction passivhaus training team, Kirsty delivers practical training for designers and contractors. Coaction regularly runs training courses in partnership with BE-ST at the fantastic facility just outside Glasgow.
Attended by people upskilling into Passivhaus, all attendees also bring a lot of experience for discussion which adds depth and flavour to the training. It is designed to bridge the gap between theory and implementation on sites and is targeted at people who already have good construction expertise.
“Coming along to the training really helped to demystify Passivhaus. That knowledge helps with costing projects and for us to have confidence in delivery ’”
– Contractor, The Seed
Publications & Awards
Publications and Podcasts
- Passivhaus Plus. Issue 47, 2024
- Homes and Interiors Magazine, January 2024
- The Courier, December 2023
- The Courier, December 2023
- The Courier Online
- The Courier, Oct 2023
- Russwood Profile Magazine Autumn/Winter 2023
Podcasts
- House Planning Help Podcast
Awards
Supreme Award - Winner
Best House Award - Winner
Best Use of Timber - Commended
- Dundee Institute of Architects Awards 2023
Research
Overheating Risk Modelling: PHPP and Dynamic Modelling
The design was optimised and refined using PHPP (single zone model) and then using dynamic simulation for more in depth room by room analysis for current and future climate conditions. Overheating risk is managed with the overall building design including the pergola, inset outdoor sitting area, optimised glazing areas and one external blind on the west so overheating is designed out, backed up with the potential for summer night time cooling by window opening.
Recycling and Reuse of Materials
The previous house on the site was assessed for retrofit, but was in too poor condition so was demolished. The materials were separated and the majority reused in the construction of the new house. Non standard solutions were developed for using the reclaimed brick in the substructure, foundations and retaining walls as well as in the garden.
Trees and Ecology
Rigorous tree protection was required on the site - for above and below ground. large amounts of gravel are part of this to keep the roots and earth in good condition during the construction stage. The gravel was then repurposed around the site, and in another of KMA's projects. Ecology was also key, with a bat being rehoused under licence during the demolition stage. KMA were subsequently invited to give a conference paper on the tree protection in construction to share their experiences in collaboration with the arborist.
Building Performance Evaluation
Energy data is being collected to assess how the building performs in use.
In this training, contractors and designers can see how various construction build ups are put together, try out techniques and chat through best practice. The contractor management team for The Seed came along to one of these training days before the project started on site and now runs training for local colleges themselves.
If you or any of your colleagues would like to join any of the practical training sessions, have a look at the course dates on the BE-ST website.
More details
Team
Kirsty Maguire Architect team members: Kirsty Maguire as part of the Coaction Training Team + Coaction colleagues
