Project Completion - The Green Quarter, Bromley
The Green Quarter for developer Pack Developments comprises two detached four-bedroom family homes in Bromley near London.
These EPC A-rated homes were built using TALO's advanced timber offsite superstructure system to deliver higher build quality and to exceed Passivhaus energy standards for much lower running costs.
The TALO team installed the watertight structure for both homes in just 8 days. As we were installing the second home, the first fix M&E was being completed in the first unit. This is the speed of offsite construction, which reduced the overall build programme by around two months.
Reducing Energy Bills
Each home in the Green Quarter benefits from energy-efficient triple-glazed timber windows and a high level of insulation pre-installed in the TALO factory for a higher quality finish.
TALO’s energy solution – state-of-the-art mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) system combined with solar-powered electricity package, hot water and underfloor heating means the homeowners will benefit from significantly reduced energy bills.
Outstanding Test Results
The first home to be tested for air tightness achieved 0.46 m3/hr/m2 in the first air pressure test – well below the maximum requirements of 8m3/hr/m2 set out in Building Regulations Part L1a and L2a (England and Wales).
This result easily surpassed the more stringent requirements of 0.6 m3/hr/m2 to exceed Passivhaus energy standards.
TALO’s dry timber approach – from sawmill to factory and site – and the use of offsite manufacturing technology significantly reduce air permeability to improve the overall thermal performance of every home built.
Our attention to detail also extended to upskilling and supporting Pack Developments’ own trades to raise their standards – particularly in internal finishing before the start of fitting out.
Architectural Design
Externally, the Green Quarter homes have brick cladding to complement neighbouring properties, contrasting white render, contemporary black window framing and patio doors, and hipped and gabled roofs, which contribute to the modern aesthetic – and demonstrate the design flexibility of TALO’s solutions.
The Developer Perspective.
David Watkins, Director, Pack Developments:
“The main drivers for using TALO for this project were speed and to achieve superior quality. We are really proud that these new family homes have been built to such an exceptional standard and with low running costs that are unparalleled in the Bromley area.
The TALO superstructure solution reduced our build programme by around two months and the time saving could be as much as three months on future projects. This required earlier specification and decision making and that gave us the benefit of fixed costs, greater cost certainty and reduced risk.
We estimate that these finished homes could have energy bills reduced by at least 50 per cent compared to an existing property of similar size. This has definitely added value to our selling proposition.
We visited the TALO factory in Finland as it was important for us to understand what is behind the company. Seeing the efficiency of factory production at first hand and from start to finish, gave us excellent insight into the level of detailing, the dry timber processes and robust quality control required to make outstanding, energy efficient homes.
We are committed to delivering low or zero energy homes and are really keen to champion this approach through our collaboration with TALO. The need for more sustainable homes to reduce the impact of housebuilding and heating homes on the environment, is clear.”
Joseph Edwards, Project Architect, Edwards Wilson Architects:
“We don’t believe you can build to this level of specification and performance traditionally, without a vastly increased budget. The fact that this system is manufactured using robust, proven processes in a controlled factory environment, means heat loss is significantly reduced. The system also has a higher level of insulation for improved thermal efficiency.
As a result, these homes comfortably exceed Building Regulations requirements for energy performance and air tightness by a considerable margin, giving occupants the benefit of much lower running costs.”
Project Data
Developer: Pack Developments
Location: Bromley
Architects: KHD Architecture
Tenure: Market sale
Units: Two executive detached family homes
EPC rating: A
Images with thanks to Pack Developments