Partner Article

Space Group goes green

LOW energy housing based on a Swedish timber frame system is to be pioneered by a North East firm and could lead to the creation of a new manufacturing plant in the region.

Newcastle-headquartered Space Group has drawn up plans for several sites across the UK for the low energy lodge concept as it aims to provide an eco friendly alternative to traditional leisure parks.

The company, which employs 140 people in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, also has longer term plans to establish a manufacturing plant in the North East for the composite timber frame system.

In addition to the sustainable shell of the single storey buildings, Space is also looking to maximise off-site manufacture by introducing pre-fabricated bathroom pods to the housing.

The lodges, which come in two, three and four bed options, are designed to the principles of the world’s leading standard in energy efficient construction – PassivHaus - and utilise triple glazed windows and doors, heat recovery ventilation, high thermal insulation standards and air tight envelope, which all aim to keep energy and running costs low.

Associate director of Space Keith Handy, said: “There is massive potential for these lodges, taking into account current and future legislation, together with the public’s own enthusiasm for the environment, and we hope to have sufficient interest to establish a manufacturing facility in the UK.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .