John Perkins Construction carried out the new build construction of seven highly-energy-efficient, timber-framed dwellings, arranged in three blocks.
This project was all about creating community. The client, Co-Housing Bristol, is a non-profit cooperative of likeminded people who choose to live closer to their neighbours, in mutually-supportive communities. For Co-Housing Bristol, the construction of these homes for their members was an 11-year vision realised.
The organisation had previously reached a dead end on procurement, with their desired development coming in over-budget. However, JPC was able to ‘workshop’ the project with Co-Housing Bristol. This involved interrogating every element of the design without changing the aesthetic appearance, in order to de-risk the project and make it affordable to them.
What was previously a patch of contaminated land, formerly used as a farmyard, was transformed into a stylish development that prioritised energy-efficiency. Despite the tight budget, the homes were built to near-Passivhaus standard, achieving airtightness values of <1 ACH (air-changes per hour), where the ACH for a typical house is 5. Furthermore, the timber-frame construction, triple-glazed windows, and installation of solar PV on the roofs, created a truly sustainable development.
The result is a group of happy residents, thriving in their new community hub, enjoying the shared gardens and close-knit atmosphere.
Project Gallery
Client: Co-Housing Bristol
Value: £2.3m New Build
Duration: 35 Weeks
Type of contract: Competitive Tender
I feel that there is a good relationship between the contractor and client. This is very important for this unusual project. There has been the odd hiccup, but nothing of significance. The important point here is that the issues were addressed promptly, transparently and satisfactorily.
Jawahar De Sousa
Member, Co-Housing Bristol
