Kingspan leads the way in sustainable homes

Kingspan Off-Site has revealed that it intends to construct the first house to achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes level six rating by June.

The 'Lighthouse' net-zero carbon home has been designed alongside architect Sheppard Robson, Arup, MacFarlane Wilder and Davis Langdon to meet the standard by which all new homes should be designed and constructed by 2016.

Constructed by Chorus Group using Kingspan's TEK building system, the 93m² two-and-a-half storey, two-bedroom house will feature renewable technologies such as a biomass boiler and building integrated photovoltaics. It will also include mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and smart metering and monitoring, which will allow occupants to see how much energy they are using.

"We identified the key technologies that would help us achieve code level six and chose our partner alliance on the basis of how they could help us deliver," explained Jonathan Jennings, R&D manager at Kingspan Off-Site.

"This development will be a launching pad for us. By achieving level six we will set a benchmark and then be able to scale it down to meet any other Code for Sustainable Homes level required."

The contractor, Chorus Group, has been involved with all design team meetings in an attempt to head off any potential problems associated with the off-site project.

"To achieve level six, contractors may experience some additional effort sourcing new products and suppliers, and developing new ways of working," explained Chris Twinn, director of sustainability at Arup.

"In reality, there is an element of innovation cost you have to get over, but the work Kingspan is doing will be published and it will help others learn from its experience."

Going beyond the current requirements of level six, the house features a roof-mounted wind catcher and light funnel, as well as solar thermal array to address any increase in temperature in the future.

The Lighthouse will be constructed for the Offsite 2007 exhibition at the BRE in June.