PARAGRAPH 79 PROJECT

Multigeneration Paragraph 79 Home

This innovative agriculturally based project is at the early stages of a paragraph 79 application. The unique home will be built for a multi-generational family with several wings and a communal living space at the centre of the building. The site includes many acres of diverse native woodland, market garden, orchards, grassland and productive micro-farming land. Requiring exceptional architecture and high eco credentials the home needs to show outstanding energy efficiency to gain planning approval.

Architectural model of a round building with radiating wings, light blue pond nearby, and surrounding trees.
A gravel driveway leads to a modern building with a wooden facade, flanked by trees with yellow leaves, under a blue sky.
Modern building with a curved roof and wooden facade, next to a grassy field.

Mesh were asked to undertake a site wide pre-planning feasibility report looking at the best energy strategy. The home shaped in a radial form and utilising a hub and spoke roof with central fire feature has the option of using biomass or anaerobic digestion using abundant on-site resources. Solar PV tracking the sun through the day and a novel mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system will contribute to the innovative aspects of the scheme. Through thermal and ventilation modelling we were able to work with the architects to refine the design and maximise natural energy from the sun whilst limiting overheating driving down the building energy usage by 75%.

Shading Models

Diagram of a radial building, tan roofs radiating from a central circle, windows and shadows visible, labeled
Architectural rendering of a circular building with radiating wings, showing summer midday shadows.
An architectural illustration of a circular building with radial wings, light brown with blue glass.
Isometric view of a building in autumn midday. The design features a central circular hub with radiating wings.

We have successfully completed:

  • Dynamic thermal modelling
  • Light impact assessment
  • Paragraph 79 energy strategy study
  • Carbon and sustainable construction report

Project architect:

Hawkes Architecture

Project info here

The word

Project Status:

Mesh is assisting Richard Hawkes in preparing required material for the Design Review Panel meeting and subsequent system design. The project continues…