One of the newest projects is the recently completed, 2,500
m2 research facility for the University of Nottingham,
providing laboratory, office and support accommodation for
the UK Government Energy Research Acceleration Initiative,
known as the ‘RAD’ Building (Research Acceleration &
Demonstration) on the Jubilee campus. The building
was constructed by Robert Woodhead construction of
Nottingham and has been designed to achieve BREEAM
Excellent and includes further extensive Passivhaus
measures to reduce energy requirements.
High performance window, curtain wall and door systems
from Aluprof UK have been used throughout the building
offering very high levels of insulation. Aluprof systems used
were TT50 curtain wall & MB104 windows, the fabricator
and installer of the fenestration was Commercial Systems
International of Humberside. On completion the building
has been extensively tested and has gained the coveted
Passivhaus certification.
But is the Passivhaus standard suitable for the UK’s
temperate climate? Since its introduction in Germany in the
early 1990’s, developed by Professors Bo Adamson of Sweden
and Wolfgang Feist of Germany, there has been a great
deal of discussion and standards revision to accommodate
climatic conditions across Europe. It was at the turn of the
last century when a EU funded project demonstrated the
construction of 221 homes to the Passivhaus standard across
four countries. Feedback and resident satisfaction proved
the concept beyond doubt and today over 65,000 buildings
have been designed, built and tested to the standard
worldwide.
So how does Passivhaus cope with the high summer
temperatures recently enjoyed in the UK? As long as night
time cooling is available, by use of natural ventilation,
which cools the inside structure of the building, Passivhaus
performs well virtually working in reverse. On south facing
walls there may be external shading devices to reduce solar
gain and the very nature of the high insulation walls and
fenestration, helps keep the heat out.
With the increasing levels of fuel poverty across the globe
and the advancements in the key features of Passivhaus,
such as developments in the Mechanical Ventilation and
Heat Recovery (MVHR) units as well much higher thermal
efficient aluminium systems window systems with triple
glazing, such as supplied by Aluprof, construction has
become more affordable and efficient. Consequently over
the last few years growth of Passivhaus in the UK has begun
to flourish.
Aluprof UK’s head office and extensive distribution centre
is located in Altrincham, Cheshire. Aluprof systems are
increasingly being specified on a wide range of residential
and commercial projects across the UK including Passivhaus
projects. Systems are designed, fabricated and installed
by selected, specially trained companies, to ensure each
fabricated product meets the Aluprof exacting standards.
Further information is available on the company’s website
at www.aluprof.eu and specialist advice is available directly
from Aluprof’s UK offices on 0161 941 4005 .
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