Stewart Milne Timber Systems has been awarded the design order to create the UK’s first eco town, North West Bicester (NW Bicester). It is in final negotiations for the production and supply of the Sigma II timber frame on the first Exemplar phase. Source: Specification Online
Stewart Milne Timber Systems is working with lead developer A2Dominion, and main housing contractor Willmott Dixon, to provide highly sustainable timber frame houses.
This will form part of the UK’s only eco town still to adhere to the Government’s original Eco Town Policy Planning Statement designed to achieve high standards of environmental sustainability.
The first phase of the timber frame element is worth circa £1 million.
The Exemplar phase of the scheme will provide 393 homes, which meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5.
Infrastructure works began at the end of April and construction of homes expected to commence in the European summer.
Each home will have a true zero carbon rating, with heat and hot water being generated on-site by a highly efficient, gas-fired combined heat and power plant.
Aiding the energy efficiency is the type of wall being used to construct the homes, which is the Stewart Milne Timber Systems’ proprietary Sigma II build system, “195 C-Stud”, delivering excellent heat retention and air tightness, a 0.15 U-value and therefore providing greater energy efficiency.
In addition the party walls and roof will be site insulated and made air tight with membranes.
This, along with pre-assembled roof modules and insulated floor cassette edges, means a pair of semi-detached homes can be weather tight, air tight, secure and fully insulated within 72 hours, providing a safe and efficient means to complete the homes on site.
According to Stewart Milne Timber Systems’ ‘fabric first’ approach is a critical element of achieving high levels of environmental performance, with energy efficiency built into the fabric of the building.
Low-carbon homes and other buildings are going to take on growing importance in the future, and timber’s inherent energy efficiency and structural integrity can play a key role in helping achieve those.
