Residential

Claywood House

How we helped:

• Renewable energy feasibility study

• Energy services design and specification

• SAP calculations

• Construction phase support

• Installer recommendations

Designed by Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt this striking, low carbon five-bedroom home in Hampshire embraces low energy living with a fabric first approach. The house was designed to meet the needs of a wheelchair-dependent client and to facilitate independent living.


The new building is located within the orchard of the client’s previous home – a multi-levelled building unsuitable for conversion, and so was retained and sold. The new house was designed as a counterpoint to the original and with an architecture of contrast reflecting a ‘fresh start’ for the client and her family.


The design celebrates its beautiful setting and builds into the landscape itself. The shape of the building responds to the complex geometry of the topography and the site boundary and works with the slope of the site to reduce the visual impact to the surrounding area. 


The new building is fully accessible with a lift and provides facilities for the specialist care required by the client, including a physiotherapy pool, gym and carer’s suite.



Building Performance Engineering


Mesh’s engineers worked closely with the client and the architectural team from concept stage through to construction to provide a comprehensive building performance service.


A feasibility study was carried out which included SAP calculations. The energy strategy for the site was developed, followed by services design and specification. 



The Energy Solution for a Low Carbon Home


A ground source heat pump with bore holes was specified to heat the house and the indoor therapy pool. There was underfloor heating throughout, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery and solar photovoltaics on the flat roof with battery storage.


Mesh also supported the construction phase, recommending installers, providing on-site assistance when required and attended key team meetings to ensure the energy design and build phase ran smoothly through commissioning and to handover.

The Architect’s Perspective


Adam Lansdown-Bridge, Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt:


“We have engaged with Mesh at an early stage on numerous projects. Their input has helped to drive a holistic fabric-first sustainability approach that has underwritten

our co-ordinated design development and project delivery, from concept to commissioning and client handover.


The Mesh team have been proactive in providing long-term deliverable tailored solutions

focused on the specific needs and requirements of the client. This has included a full design service overseeing a number of other specialist M&E consultants and where required, reviewing VE proposals which helped with the financial challenges of the package.


The team are consistently a pleasure to work with and we will be continuing our collaboration.”


Awards


  • House of the Year, British Homes Awards – Winner
  • RIBA Awards – Shortlisted for Regional and National Awards 

Images – Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt