20 August 2013
Around 25 members from the National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) Midlands Group visited the Coventry ECO House project in Canley to learn about the design and construction of the two sustainable homes being built as part of this project.
The NAWIC touring group were also joined by MP Mark Pawsey (Rugby) and Coventry City Councillor Lynnette Kelly (Cabinet Member – Business, Enterprise and Employment).
NAWIC members were given a tour of the project site by Helen Brown, Passivhaus Consultant and Code Assessor for the project and also Head of Building Physics at engineering consultancy Encraft.
The tour focused on the innovative Beattie Passive patented build system that has been applied to this project. This simple build system transforms designs into performance, low-cost homes using semi-skilled labour and traditional and readily available construction materials.
The Coventry ECO House project is a collaborative, learning legacy project that aims to develop and demonstrate the local capability for the design, build and operation of sustainable homes.
The two dwellings being built as part of this project are being constructed to ‘Passivhaus’ standard which is the world-leading building standard in energy efficient construction.
Further, one of the houses will meet Level 6 criteria which is the most demanding level of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes, and the other will meet Level 4 criteria.
Commenting on the visit, NAWIC member and D-Drill Managing Director Julie White said: “We are pleased to visit and learn further about this energy efficient project that has optimally utilised the local construction supply chain. It was extremely interesting to see the simple, yet innovative, build system that has been applied to this project.”
The Coventry ECO House project is a collaboration between Forum for Construction Excellence in Coventry and Warwickshire (FORCE) and Orbit Homes. In addition to FORCE and Orbit Homes, other partners on the project include Coventry City Council, Coventry University, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Encraft and Beattie Passive.
Focusing on importance of sharing best practices, Brian Dickinson, member of the FORCE Steering Group, said: “We are happy to have members from NAWIC visit the ECO House project. We are delighted that the NAWIC touring group were joined by MP Mark Pawsey and Councillor Lynnette Kelly. Going beyond the construction of the two ECO houses, sharing best practices with local construction professionals is a key objective of FORCE.”
John Barnham, Head of Sustainable Investment at Orbit Group, added: “The ECO House project demonstrates local capability for the design and construction of sustainable homes, so this was an excellent learning opportunity. We are pleased to share our knowledge and expertise with the wider construction community and hope the NAWIC gains invaluable insight into the use of local construction supply chains.”
Back to news