In the heart of East London, what was once a dilapidated coffin workshop has been transformed into 'Forty' – a sustainable, light-filled family home that epitomises the concept of 'Lagom'- not too little, not too much, 'just right'. This project was not just about building a house; it was about creating a home that met and exceeded the rigorous standards of Passivhaus construction and adhering to the core principles of sustainable living.
The design of 'Forty' was driven by the need for a space-saving solution that could accommodate a growing family and adapt over time. The innovative 'upside-down' house layout places the bedrooms on the lower floors for cool, quiet sleeping areas, and the living spaces above to take advantage of natural light and warmth.
'Floating Floor Brackets: An innovative and unique design developed to thermally disassociate internal slabs from external walls, aiding in temperature regulation without compromising structural integrity.
Strategic Window Placement: Ensures ample daylight while maintaining privacy and minimising heat loss.
Sunamp's Phase Change Energy Storage: Provides efficient energy storage and hot water heating, minimising the home's energy footprint.
Sustainability at its Core: Sustainability is woven into every aspect of 'Forty', from the structurally insulated panels (SIPs) that provide excellent thermal performance within a thin build-up to the high-quality, triple-glazed windows tailored for optimal solar gain. The materials and technologies were chosen not only due to their performance but also how this enabled the build to exceed the dimensional requirements of the strict 'London SPG' regulatory standards.
'Forty' has set a benchmark for future projects at Warehome, providing invaluable lessons in balancing client desires with technical and regulatory requirements. It stands as a beacon of what is achievable with creativity, commitment and a deep understanding of sustainable building practices.
With 'Forty' recently being recognised as one of the highlights from the Grand Designs TV show's 25 years history, it proves that size is just one metric to measure when considering what is 'home'.
