A new artist’s studio in Canterbury constructed from I-joists is being billed as the UK’s first Passivhaus industrial building.
The building, for an internationally-renowned artist, has obtained a preliminary airtightness test result of 0.39 air changes per hour, comfortably inside the Passivhaus limit of 0.6.
Current UK Building Regulations only require 10 air changes per hour.
Architect Conker Conservation was commissioned to design and project manage the building, while main contractor was Ecolibrium Solutions Ltd.
Engineer SC Green worked in conjunction with Kent-based timber frame manufacturer Eco Frame Systems to provide a timber portal frame without tie beams, using only I-beams. This allows a vast open space for the artist’s works, which can measure 4m high.??
Eco Frame Systems also supplied installed triple-glazed windows and doors to the Passivhaus standard.
The artist required a new studio and gallery which would be flooded with natural light, be superior in presentation and would enhance the working and display environment for the paintings.
In addition, the artist wanted the building to fit the natural landscape and give the very best in thermal performance.
