Client moves into York passivhaus

'Now that I have been in for a couple of months I can really appreciate how brilliantly

the house has been designed and built. Everyone who comes is amazed at how good it 

looks and feels, even with boxes still piled up everywhere’ 

client

Certification plaque was fixed up to applause and thanks to contractor Croft Farm Construction

"It’s been a great job to work on -  a pleasure to work with both client and Contractor. 

Congratulations city of York to your first certified passivhaus, and may there be many more!

We hope the house will be open again for interested visitors, at next year’s Passivhaus Open 

Day in November”

Fran Bradshaw

Fran to speak at Brighton Green Architecture day on saturday 19th march, see www.brightonpermaculture.org.uk

'Green Architecture Day is an annual event Brighton Permaculture has run in partnership

with Low Carbon Trust since 2002. Since then, the event has attracted over 2,000 participants 

to hear inspiring talks about how we can live and work in greener buildings. It has featured 

talks from speakers as varied as Ben Law, Christopher Day, Pooran Desai and Satish Kumar.

At Brighton Permaculture Trust, we believe that we need to give equal weight to sustainability 

in the built environment and regenerating our landscapes’

Passivhaus Conference 2015

We are proud to have participated in the UK Passivhaus Conference 2015 at the Business Design Centre. Organized by Passivhaus Trust and BRE

Our stand as part of the 15-40 Collective in the exhibition hall

Our display featuring Akerman Road, a 15-40 collaboration

Fran Bradshaw talks about "Initial design challenges - Form factor, layout and system choices"

Ben Adam-Smith interviews Fran for his self-build podcast series

Web link: http://www.houseplanninghelp.com/42

Scaffolding finally down at Hickling straw-bale house

Scaffolding finally came down 11th December revealing the duvet-like lime rendered straw bale walls, stainless steel cills span the depth of the bales and render, and straight lines of stainless steel cills contrast with wavy wall. Lots of pics below:

Honorary Doctorate

Fran Bradshaw was awarded an honorary doctorate at University of Westminster last week. The ceremony took place at the graduation of students of the School of Built Environment, at the Festival Hall.

Hickling, Norfolk, Timber Frame House

A 25 tonne capacity crane lifted the Douglas Fir timber beams from the lorry onto the site.

All the joints and details were designed and cut by “The Timber Frame Company” who are based in somerset. The individual panels and joints were assembled in their workshop, tested and then taken apart to make sure that everything fitted perfectly. More information is available at:

http://www.thetimberframe.co.uk/

Once the individual beams had been delivered, panels and frames where assembled on the ground and then lifted with the crane onto the site. The joints are traditional  with mortice and tenon joints and  pegged together with oak pegs.

 First Frame in place on day one of the timber frame build

The timber frame build has taken place at an impressive pace, while people seem very laid back. Very experienced TFC carpenters have smoothed the way without any onsite alterations needed, whilst achieving a high accuracy to the original plans.

 Last Sunday was the first open day with guided tours given to the neighbors and local people. There is much anticipation and excitement as to how this building is going to develop. Keep watching this space to see what happens next.