The development, known as Greenwatt Way, was opened at the end of 2010 and is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. Built on former SSE office space, there is a total of ten zero carbon properties including a mixture of two and three bedroom family houses, and one bedroom flats.
As part of SSE’s two year research project to assess the impact of energy provision for low-zero carbon housing, the timber homes were built using Stewart Milne Timber Systems’ Sigma II Build System. Through its high levels of insulation, air tightness & thermal bridging (U Value 0.12 W/M2K, air tightness of 2 & y-value of 0.03), the closed panel timber frame construction helps to achieve maximum energy efficiency through the fabric and verifies timber’s reputation as one of the most favoured materials in low-zero carbon building.
Wendy Pringle of SSE said: “With the UK looking for zero carbon buildings by 2016, we must understand what our customers will need as low carbon housing becomes more common. In order to build the Code Level 6 homes necessary for the project, we had to use the most sustainable materials available. Due to its low-carbon content, timber frame was one of the obvious choices and Stewart Milne Timber Systems provided a highly effective solution with its Sigma II closed panel system.”
Ron Easton, managing director of Stewart Milne Timber Systems said: “Greenwatt Way was an excellent project to be involved in and demonstrates the benefits of cross-sectoral partnerships when building a development such as this.
“Thanks to its sustainable, energy efficient, fast build and high quality properties, timber frame has emerged as one of the preferred materials for low-carbon projects and we are confident our Sigma II Build System will be of great benefit to both SSE and the residents at Greenwatt Way.”
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