Stroma Technology celebrates success of ‘Vista’ Carbon Challenge scheme
Stroma Technology is celebrating this week after the ‘Vista’ development in Peterborough, which the company has made an ongoing contribution to over the last few years, collected a sought-after award.
Vista is one of the pioneering Carbon Challenge schemes, spearheaded by the Homes and Communities Agency with the specific aim of setting a new standard for sustainable communities. Stroma’s client Morris Homes collected the ‘Best Low or Zero Carbon Initiative’ prize for the project at the recent Housebuilder Awards 2013.
Stroma Technology’s involvement in this project has grown at pace with the development itself: initially appointed as Code for Sustainable Homes, SAP, SBEM and BREEAM Assessor for the site, they are now also acting as CEEQUAL Assessor and Carbon Challenge Inspector, appointed to ensure ongoing compliance with the Carbon Challenge Standard Brief.
The company has also designed and installed a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) system at Plot M – the initial’ test bed’ plot for the site – which will monitor humidity, temperature and CO2 levels and how the occupants use the building. The use of POE systems to benchmark performance is one of the core principles of the Carbon Challenge initiative.
The Vista development will deliver 295 new dwellings, all meeting Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which is zero carbon (with allowable solutions), and complemented by mixed use elements and an attractive landscaped setting.
Phase 1 of the development is now complete with the exception of the apartments, with the final specification being traditional construction, triple glazing, MVHR, rainwater harvesting and highly efficient gas boilers with solar thermal panels. Further phases will consider the use of photovoltaic panels instead of solar thermal.
Head of Residential Services Mark Sullivan commented: “Stroma Technology would like to congratulate Morris Homes on this deserved win, which recognises the success of this project in taking a multi-faceted look at sustainable development. We look forward to continuing our contribution to the Vista scheme as it progresses to Phase 2 and 3.”
