MMC Passivhaus apartments in Farnbourough

As part of our focus on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), we thought it would be good to revisit one of our early MMC projects. The project involved the renovation and extension of a former hotel in Farnborough to form 14 new self-contained apartments on behalf of Enhabit. The client wanted healthy homes that were comfortable and to minimise carbon emissions. The project involved the refurbishment of the former hotel, a three storey extension and the conversion of former outbuildings. The site was in a conservation area and the planners were keen to restore the original building back to its former glory, part of which included replacing the upvc windows with Enhabit's Passisash triple-glazed windows.

The client wanted to achieve excellent levels of airtightness and a fabric first approach to reducing energy demand. The existing building was insulated externally, the roof replaced and the internal space reconfigured. The extension was built using Enhabits timber frame system, which was prefabricated in the factory in Latvia and arrived in 11 truckloads of pre-formed and pre-insulated panels, which were assembled into position within a month.

We took the project through the concept design, planning and working drawings stages, being involved from the start of the project, working with the planning consultant to solve the planning issues and then co-ordinating the design to ensure a coherent package of information was ready for tender stage. We then supported the tender process, including a value engineering process, to ensure best value for the client, whilst still ensuring that the aims of the project were not compromised.

We worked collaboratively with Enhabit to conducted a full energy assessment and fabric design; mechanical services coordination; MVHR design; supply of triple glazed windows and doors; supply and installation of solar PV; supply and erection of timber frame extension.