An award-winning architect based at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, has demonstrated that cutting-edge design and affordability are not mutually exclusive. Professor Gokay Deveci, of the University's Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Environment, has applied his world-renowned expertise in sustainable housing to design the first certified Passivhaus in Scotland.

With the Scottish government aiming to cut carbon emissions by 42%, more than a third of 1990 levels by 2020, one of the main ways of achieving this will be by making homes more energy efficient.

Professor Deveci has designed 'Tigh-Na-Cladach' or 'house by the shore' – an affordable housing scheme for Fyne Initiatives, the commercial subsidiary of Argyll based housing association, Fyne Homes, comprising 14 semi-detached houses overlooking the Firth of Clyde in Dunoon.

The scheme is the first in Scotland to be officially accredited by the Passivhaus Institute in Germany. This voluntary construction standard is only awarded to buildings meeting rigorous energy efficiency criteria. A passivhaus house is an energy-efficient building that has year-round comfort and a good indoor climate, without the use of active space heating or cooling systems.

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Total energy use, including space heating, all appliances and domestic hot water must not exceed 120 kWh/m2 per year. The heating requirement is reduced by means of passive measures to the point that there is no longer any need for a conventional heating system.

Professor Deveci, who is also a senior member of the University's Institute for Innovation, DEsign and Sustainability (IDEAS), said: "Over 40% of the UK's CO2 emissions come from houses, yet by 2016, the Government has decreed that all new houses must be zero-carbon. Consequently it is of the utmost importance that we apply our knowledge of building design, and the technology that is currently available, to producing houses with a minimal carbon footprint."

Achieving this at Bethania was not straightforward, however, as many features of the houses were unfavourable for energy efficiency. For example, they have no south-facing windows, and their long, slim and tall shape with relatively small floor space, could have led to heat loss from the relatively big exterior surface area.

Professor Deveci added: "Of course the biggest challenge was the fact that these buildings were designated as affordable housing, meaning we were working to an extremely tight budget."

Undaunted, Professor Deveci applied his extensive knowledge and experience in the field of environmentally sustainable architectural design, to surmounting these hurdles. A closed panel timber system from RTC Timber, specifically developed to Passivhaus levels, was used for the shell. Combined with triple glazed windows from 'Internorm' and a highly efficient 'Paul thermos 200DC' MVHR (mechanical ventilation heat recovery system), this ensured that the Passivhaus criteria were met.

The 'Tigh-Na-Cladach' housing scheme is now almost complete, with residents able to move in by March.

Professor Deveci is currently working on the designs for Scotland's first zero carbon home, in Midmar, which is awaiting planning permission for a wind turbine.

(GK/BMcC)