The Stoneguard C60 research house, under construction at the University of Nottingham, has been designed to help the industry address the challenge of climate change and construction issues. The Stoneguard C60 house aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% compared to typical homes. This meets the target for 2050 set out in the Government’s Energy White Paper of 2003.

The house is being built on the University Park Campus within the School of the Built Environment. The School will monitor every aspect of the building, such as heating, cooling, water consumption and lighting, over the next twenty years.

Many companies are bringing their expertise under one roof for the first time. Stoneguard’s role is to construct the house using its steel framing system Protec and manage the project to completion. The Stoneguard Protec system is not only very efficient in terms of construction but also provides high levels of insulation to improve the performance of the house.

Other features include an earth-air heat exchanger system to improve thermal comfort; a grey water management system to re-use shower water for flushing and a rainwater harvesting system to supply water for washine machine, shower, gardens and external washing. There are also sunpipes to maximise use of natural light; passive solar heating and a ventilation / heat recovery system.

The four bedroom house, constructed over three levels, includes a basement and roof space. It will be occupied in order to produce robust and valid data, which will enable the companies involved to monitor the performance of their products and services for both domestic and commercial markets.

Stoneguard MD Mike Hinman explains why his company is enabling the project: ‘The conflicting demands for huge numbers of new homes and the need to meet the world’s environmental challenges for generations to come must be reconciled and we believe that Stoneguard C60 will be in the forefront of this process. This building is, quite simply, 44 years ahead of its time.’

He continues: ‘Perhaps the most important participants in this project are the students, who are fully involved in every aspect of construction and development. Their first hand experience of the issues will give them a wealth of knowledge, to apply when they graduate and develop as they work in the building industry of the future.’