The scheme, by Devon and Cornwall Housing (DCH), is the first completed Carbon Zero Code 5 housing scheme in Plymouth.

This was a community led project by DCH in conjunction with Devonport Land Community Trust (DCLT) who formed a partnership to instigate a new housing project with very high aspirations, providing low cost, energy efficient housing. The houses have been awarded 'carbon zero' Code 5 and as such they are the first to be constructed in Plymouth to this level.

The selected site sits in a unique location in the heart of Devonport, perched on the hillside adjacent to the park which forms Plymouth's Green Space. The site, although amidst a large urban conurbation, has more of a rural feel than that expected in the heart of a city centre. Devon based Architects, Trewin Design Partnership, have produced an innovative scheme that provides a small terrace of five houses. They sit well in their leafy setting surrounded by a large historic wall that used to form part of an old garrison.

The proposal offered a great opportunity to improve a once abandoned car park, creating a better use for the wider community. It also provided a chance for Devon & Cornwall Housing to commission their first Code 5 project, allowing them to explore the cost and practicalities of new technologies, particularly in relation to small, urban sites before introducing it into their mainstream development programme.

The site is within a Conservation Area and the end result reflects well on the designer’s ability to produce a scheme that is innovative and contemporary whilst being sensitive to its surrounding context.

The terrace runs east to west allowing a large portion of the roof to be south facing, the asymmetrical profile maximises the area available for photovoltaic panels. The unusual roof shape has defined the character of the buildings; the materials and detailing have been designed to strengthen the appearance and characteristic shape of the end gables.

The structure has been highly insulated using a single skin timber frame construction by Frame Home UK which has achieved a very low airtightness of 0.6m3/(h.m2)@50Pa. Good detailing to all junctions on the external envelope have been carefully considered to eliminate thermal bridging.

The houses are heated using Ground Source Heat Pumps with a Heat Recovery MVHR system. Combined with the extensive use of PV's on the roof these renewables provide the most effective way of meeting the energy saving requirements of The Code. Low energy light fittings have been used throughout the houses, and habitable rooms have good day lighting standards, achieved by sizing the widows appropriately. Low water consumption has been attained by specifying sanitary fittings that minimise water use.

These innovative Code 5 houses use Green Guide A+ rated materials. The elevations are clad using cedar shingles and weatherboarding. Limited areas of render provide a palette that suits its leafy context. The orientation of the buildings takes advantage of solar gain to help reduce the load on the heating system.

The houses have met many high design standards including the Building for Life criteria, Lifetime Homes and Secured By Design.

Client; Devon & Cornwall Housing & Devonport Land Community Trust (DCLT)

Project Team; Mansell (contractor); Frame Homes UK (timber frame), Trewin Design Partnership (Architects); Pell Frischmann (Engineers), Ward Williams (Employers Agent)

If you are looking for architects in Devon, then please read more about our practice and services, or contact TDP.