wapan houses
The intention for the project is to build 3 innovative and outstanding net-zero houses set within a shared, productive and ecologically rich landscape. Working closely with our very ambitious clients and an extensive team of specialist consultants, we have submitted this scheme for a small eco-community within Bristol’s green belt for planning approval.
The rooms are arranged around a small courtyard and all the openings are orientated into this space, to create a surprisingly intimate and homely atmosphere in this otherwise exposed and prominent location. Additional natural light to the house is provided by roof lights, whilst a roof terrace to the corner provides external amenity space overlooking the adjacent park.
The materials respond carefully to the site location and the original courtyard, and the corten steel cladding is a robust material that relates to the listed circular metal public WC structure opposite.
The proposals include the renovation of a 16th century farmhouse to exceed 21st century thermal standards using carbon positive materials such as locally grown timber and hempcrete. Additionally to this, two new build houses will be sunk into the sloping site with intensive green roofs so as not to impact the openness of the greenbelt. These will be built using a ‘Wapan’ walling technique, utilising materials recovered from the demolition of the poor quality 20th century additions to the farmhouse. The retaining structures will be built from Cemfree, a cement free concrete alternative.
Sarah Price Landscapes and Seasons Ecology have worked together to propose an ecological landscape scheme which conserves what exists and creates new enhanced habitat and wildlife friendly spaces and achieves Building With Nature accreditation.
We have worked with Hydrock Consultants to design a communal PV Microgrid with Sodium Power storage alongside Radial Ground Source Heat Pump, MVHR and carefully oriented and designed glazing and solar shading to ensure the proposals are carbon positive in operation.
