SUSTAINABLE, LOW ENERGY DESIGN SOLUTION

Studio BAD are undertaking a feasibility study to look into the future of the Vicarage at St James Church, within Portsmouth, Hampshire. The current property is becoming increasingly expensive to run, to future proof the site the church requested that Studio BAD looking into designing a carbon net zero, modern replacement building based on the Parsonage Design Guide. Additionally, as part of an overview plan, Studio BAD reviewed how to unlock the potential of the large plot, to create a valuable asset for the community by redeveloping the existing vicarage building.

The existing building sits on a generous corner plot, surrounded by residential period homes, easily plenty of space to keep the existing building and create a private plot to fit a new three-bedroom, two storey detached house.

Engaging with contemporary architecture the design looks to create a low energy house. To reduce damage to the mature trees on the site modern methods of construction are being investigated, such as using screw pile foundations to offer quick and low-carbon foundations and off-site modular construction to speed up the time needed onsite. The design includes using cross laminated timber as an alternative to traditional materials and introducing PV, alternative heating source and solar panels, to offset the electrical usage.

Within the design a we have incorporated an element of red as reference to the traditional red painted church doors, which during the Middle Ages came to be a sign of sanctuary and is still used today.

The plan also looks to redevelop the existing vicarage building to redevelop the building for use as an essential social housing offer, or reuse the building for community use for example a nursery or community hall.