Victorian townhouses in Manchester have become the first homes in Europe to achieve the world’s toughest performance standards set by the renowned German Passivhaus Institute.
Featuring Nobel prize-winning super material graphene and a host of world first technologies, these 125 year old properties outperform 99.9% of new builds – a true showcase of the potential in our heritage buildings.
Newly renovated by eco consultants Ecospheric, the exemplar homes are designed to remain comfortable and warm year round without a central heating system whilst maintaining superb air quality that alleviates allergies and battles bacteria.
Mixing British architectural history with the most advanced and environmentally friendly materials, the properties revolutionise occupants’ lifestyles.
Saving an estimated £50,000 over the first 10 years with zero energy bills and minimal maintenance, these properties are packed with innovation. Photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof not only power the homes’ lighting and appliances but also heat the hot water tank – the first in the world with a thermocline control. Since the homes generate more power than they use, occupants can sell excess electricity back to the grid.
One hundred pallets of insulation, predominantly made of recycled newspapers, help maintain an even temperature year round and for those unusually long hot summers like the one just gone, a thermostatically controlled roof light with rain sensor provides effective passive cooling.
Grey water from wash hand basins directly flushes the WCs and outside a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) made from recycled car tyres relieves stress on the drains but keeps the driveway weed free.
Designed to last, the properties have been specified with durable materials throughout. Graphene; the strongest material known to science has been formulated into the interior paints. This prevents cracking because it is said to be 200 times stronger than structural steel. The wooden external cladding is “pre-fossilised” meaning it’s resistant to rot and UV degradation. The copper guttering and downpipes are expected to last over 100 years.
Fresh air circulates throughout the building. A discreet, central Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system (MVHR) cleanses airborne germs and particulates (such as pollen) from the home and controls humidity, helping to relieve hay-fever, rhinitis and asthma.
Carefully selected passive materials such as lime plaster also help to soak up harmful gasses, control humidity and minimise mould. Ecospheric have exceeded the Passivhaus Institute’s requirements by aiming for a petrochemical free building fabric, focusing on natural, breathable materials that avoid harmful off-gassing.
“Ecospheric have achieved a pristine period finish on Zetland Road, even incorporating stained glass in a passive house, which is a world first. From the street the building looks classically Victorian with its decorative path, cast stone steps and ornate porch. The only hint of the wealth of technology within is a subtle copper strip that blends into the traditional Victorian brickwork to disguise a super-insulated sidewall.” said Martina Harrison of Jordan Fishwick Estate Agents.
In the 4m high living area sits a wood burning stove, which whilst not needed to heat the property adds a little winter luxury. By drawing its air from outside the property the stove avoids the drafts typically caused by chimneys and exacerbated by lighting fires.
The Kitchen, crafted in locally grown timber is complemented by brushed brass splashbacks, Welsh slate worktops and A+++ rated appliances.
Other features to compliment the properties’ heritage include elaborate plaster cornicing and ceiling roses displaying refurbished LED chandeliers, gold-plated taps, iron roll top baths and marble floors to name just a few.
Kit Knowles of Ecospheric said: “Period semi-detached properties represent a huge portion of the UK’s housing stock, yet they are one of the trickiest formats to upgrade. It’s critical that planners, architects and builders explore and define appropriate methods to tackle them. The UK housing stock of today will account for over 80 percent of the stock in 2050. New build solutions do not tackle this, it is sustainable retrofit that is critical to meeting the Government’s 2050 greenhouse gas emission targets.”
