The BRE Welsh future Homes Exhibtion took place in 2010 and was a showcase of experimental, low energy homes specifically designed to meet Code 5 of the Suststainable homes Code.

The homes were all one offs, incorporating and integrating many design features for the very first time in the UK.  The Lily House was constructed from 85% MgO and was the first such construction attempted in Europe.  The homes were built to inspire a new generation of housing that sets new standards in energy efficiency while being affordable to build and very cheap to run.  The Need for new thinking on housing could not be more urgent.  Three quarters of the UKs housing stock is more than 40 years old and five million properties were built before 1918.  Our homes are old and hard to heat, and our household consumption of natural gas has trebled since 1970.

The Welsh Future Homes projects forms part of The Works a £350 million project by the Welsh Assembly Government and Blaneau Gwent Borough Council to bring new jobs, new homes and a new community to the site of the former steelworks at Ebbw Vale. It sits within the Assembly Government's vision for the Heads of the Valleys, of a network of vibrant sustainable communities generating economic and employment opportunities. Central to that vision are skills and products relating to sustainable products. The Welsh Government's ambition is that all new buildings will be zero carbon in relation to space heating, hot water and lighting, hence our involvement in the project.

Envelope Construction

The Lily House used Dragonboard on the interior and exterior walls, stairs, windows, architraves, skirting board to such an extent that the property was 85% Dragonboard. Inside the pre finished boards were painted without the need for skimming or plaster. Using Dragonboard for the walls, floors, ceilings makes it easier to achieve an excellent fit and to seal joints making for a warm draught free home.

On the outside Dragonboard is strong stable and waterproof. Even left exposed it can resist the elements. After rain or a flood the board dries our naturally without degrading contamination or shrinking. This home was constructed using light gauge steel frame (LGSF) with 150 mm of Icynene Spray foam insulation and a further 110 mm (75mm externally and 35mm internally) of Knauf  rigid insulation to give the property superior insulation value. The home is powered by an AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP coupled to a HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION SYSTEM.

Supplying heat to a 700-litre storage cylinder, which is more than sufficient to meet the daily needs of a family. The installation of the solar and PV panels to the main roof are saveing up to 80% of the annual water heating costs, and sufficient to contribute 2.5kwh to match the heating load for the house, saving some 4250kwh/year. Using this technology and in the process capable of achieving a Code 6.

The Lily House exclusively uses Dragonboard technology to its full advantage, creating an affordable and adaptable lifetime home. Pre-applied full void Icyene insulation gives an exceptionally high level of thermal and acoustic insulation. Externally a wide range of applied weathering finishes can be applied. 'The Lily House' concept home is treated externally with a contemporary mix of K-render systems and applied cedar boarding, but the choice is limitless.

Energy performance

'The Lily house' uses high performance window systems and features a south facing 'solar' wall on the front elevation. The sister concept home 'The Lotus' has been designed with this at the rear, allowing flexibility in site layout design.

The concept house technology is under constant technical development and BRE / BBA testing. The Energy Assessment Calculation shows that with high levels of Dragonboard, insulation, air tightness and controlled air ventilation, our concept home has very low energy usage resulting in energy bills of circa £242.00 per annum.

'The Lily House' comfortably met Level Five of the Code of Sustainable Homes some five years ahead of the Government's target date and is the affordable option.  'The Lily House' concept home is adaptable, both in terms of the Lifetime Homes principles and the ability to add green technology.