A development of 8 new Passive House dwellings (2 and 3 bedrooms). These highly efficient houses have cost-effective and simple technology.
HOMES THAT HEAT THEMSELVES
• Large, south facing, high spec triple glazed windows for maximum solar gain, super insulation and extremely high levels of airtightness allow heat generated within the house by daily activity to be retained;
• A mechanical ventilation and heat recovery unit (MVHR) draws moist warm air from the kitchens and bathrooms and passes it through a heat exchanger which passively warms fresh air from outside and delivers it to the living rooms and bedrooms; The systems used are Paul focus 200 and Paul novus 300 HRV systems.
• A water to air heat exchanger (so called post heater) in the MVHR system provides all the space heating for the dwellings.
• Hot water (DHW and space heating) is entirely from renewable energy sources via roof mounted solar thermal panels and small log burning stoves using timber from the Estate.
THE SCHEME
• Built on a farm in rural Dumfries & Galloway;
• Grant aided under the Rural Homes for Rent pilot grant scheme introduced by Scottish Government in 2007.
FOR LONG TERM AFFORDABLE RENT
• Dumfries & Galloway Council has nomination rights over 4 of the homes to take households from their homelessness list. Short assured tenancies are offered to households in local priority need;
• Allocations policy agreed with the Council and Scottish Government;
• More space than that normally built by the social housing sector. Housing for Varying Needs standards. Maintenance to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard;
• Affordable rents guaranteed for 30 years in line with local RSL rents for new build housing. Annual rent increases indexed according to RPI + 1%.
BUILT USING MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION
• By a Scottish company employing the principles of fabric-first in an off-site manufacturing unit;
• To Certified Passivhaus Standard, an energy efficiency standard that far exceeds 2010 building standards (even the Silver Standard) and is believed to exceed what is likely to be the 2016 building standard for zero carbon housing;
• Removes the threat of fuel poverty from rural households that are off the mains gas grid for the lifetime of these homes.
DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT THE RURAL VERNACULAR
• With chimneys and porches;
• Using a colour palette that matches the neighbouring sandstone properties. Their integration with the existing farm cottages creates a real sense of place;
• Access is an extension of the farm road with an identical compacted gravel surface in line with Scottish Government Guidance in Designing Streets.
TENANT REACTION HAS BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE.
The houses were completed in July 2011 and tenants moved in immediately. When they first moved in to Dormont they were asked for their views on the houses:
“This is a dream come true. Since my twenty’s – long before it was even talked about – I have wanted to live in a house like this.”
” Everyone I have shown round wants to live here and this, surely, has to be the mark of a sucessful development.”
“The house is very warm and very beautiful and we are so lucky to have landed here.”
INDUSTRY AWARDS
• Rural Development of the Year, and Highly Commended Award for Environmental Excellence, at the Scottish Home Awards 2012;
• A Bronze Award in the Small Business category for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage Awards 2012;
• Two Green Apple Environment Awards – for Building and Construction (Scotland) in 2011 and for Scottish Housing Projects 2012;
• Commendation in the 2012 RICS Scotland Awards for Design and Innovation.
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION
• The Greener Homes Prospectus www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0039/00397015.doc
• Inspirational Designs http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/AandP/InspirationalDesigns/ProjectType/smallscalerural/Dormont
• See also the Dormont Estate webpage
Information supplied by: Jamie Carruthers, Dormont Estate, Dormont, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire DG11 1DJ Tel: 01387 840222
In 2011 Jane and her husband moved into a Passivhaus dwelling in Dormont Estate, Lockerbie. The estate, owned by Jamie Carruthers, a forward-thinking rural landlord, has PAUL focus and novus MVHR systems. The well ventilated dwellings and pollen-filtered air made a considerable difference to her well-being. Listen to what she has to say.
“When I moved into the house I didn’t expect any relief from my constant battle with allergies. I have had to take medications constantly and have suffered from constant headaches most of my life. Within a couple of weeks I could breathe better through my nose and my constant sinus headaches disappeared. I thought it was my imagination until I went down to visit my children in Norfolk and I suffered terribly and couldn’t wait to come back to my safe house. As long as I keep the filters clean and do wet dusting I can live pain and symptom free.
Recently I didn’t have the system in operation for 3 weeks and my allergies went crazy. My sinus headaches returned and I was miserable. I would recommend anyone with allergies to use the [PAUL MVHR] system. Regards, Jane”
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