THE CONCEPT HOUSE

The patented Powered Living Concept house is unique; it is a highly flexible architectural design that embodies the most efficient passive solar principles for this climate. The design has also been developed to maintain reasonable construction costs. It is not the same as a standard spec house design nor as time consuming (or expensive!) as a full architectural design. The design is proving very successful and has been generating much publicity (see our publicity page); the Nelson demonstration house has not sunk below 16 degrees in the coldest midwinter days with no form of back up heating.

The Powered Living Concept house is highly flexible and is designed to adapt to many different situations without compromising style or performance. The initial concept plan above shows a simple layout for a 2 bedroom house, and the tailored concept plan below shows just one example of a variation. We have many more examples of customised and very different concept house designs at our Nelson office which you are welcome to view when you arrange to come and meet us; houses with curves, or with two stories /mezzanines on steeper sites…some are more elaborate, others very simple but we think you’ll agree, they’re all very stylish.

There are many flexibilities in the design but what will always remain constant is that the front of the house is orientated to within 30 degrees of True North and the floor is mass; for example concrete which is either coloured, polished or tiled… without this your house would not store solar heat!

THE CONSTRUCTION

We only recommend materials that are selected appropriately for their context, but each material is assessed individually for its practicality, sustainability and also low emission toxicity:

• The concrete floor slab in the living rooms is the solar heat store. It is insulated underneath. Finishing choices include polished and coloured or tiled.
  

• Insulation in the walls and roof is higher than Building Regulation recommendations and we recommend using Woolbloc - the natural alternative to fibreglass.
  

• Windows are double glazed increasing warmth and eliminating condensation and we recommend using thermally broken aluminium, upvc or some types of timber for the frames.
  

• All timber, joinery materials and paint are selected for low off gas emissions and sustainability.
  

• We design to include solar hot water, and would recommend rainwater collection and energy efficient lighting and appliances.
  

• You can choose to include backup heating which will depend on your climate and personal preferences (and refer to the last question on the FAQ page)