Project Insight

Residential (Mixed Use)

Client: Morris Homes Ltd

Location: Vista, Peterborough

Sector: Residential (Mixed Use)

Architect: Barnett North

Service: SAP Calculations / Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)

Background

Vista is the second of the exemplar Carbon Challenge sites being delivered by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The Carbon Challenge programme aims to deliver communities which embody best practice in sustainable design, construction and operation. They will act as test beds for the construction industry and inform future policymaking. The 7ha South Bank development will incorporate 295 dwellings of mixed types, green spaces and additional mixed use elements. Every dwelling on site must meet the highest level of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH): Level 6, which is ‘zero carbon’ (with allowable solutions).

Project

Stroma supported the Developer in a number of capacities. We were the CSH Assessor, SAP Assessor and CEEQUAL Assessor for the project, and also acted as Carbon Challenge Inspector, whose role is to ensure ongoing compliance with the Carbon Challenge Standard Brief. A prototype plot, named Plot M, was developed to inform the delivery of the rest of the development. It employs a number of sustainable and renewable nologies including solar thermal, solar PV, biomass boilers, rainwater harvesting, and an MVHR (mechanical ventilation and heat recovery) system. Stroma has also installed a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) system on Plot M which will monitor CO2 levels, humidity and temperature, and examine how the occupants use the building. This will enable the team to benchmark how design performance and in-use performance compare.