By Wojciech Brożyna - MD Aluprof UK
Organised by the UK’s Passivhaus Trust, the 2023 UK Passivhaus Conference was a hybrid event held at McEwan Hall on The University of Edinburgh campus on the 16th & 17th of October. Over the two day conference over 600 speakers and delegates explored the adaptability of Passivhaus, its implementation and benefits over a diverse range and scale of projects around the UK, plus its future applicability for all homes throughout Scotland.
Aluprof were delighted, once again, to support the event as a sponsor taking the lead when it comes to the specification of high thermal performance windows, doors and facade systems used in Passivhaus construction. The event was attended by Paul Sherman, Aluprof Sales Consultant and Neil Garner, Aluprof Major Projects Consultant.
‘Scotland leads the way’ was the theme for the Passivhaus Conference, the biggest held in the UK to date. There was a great deal of interest at the event following Scotland. Parliament's decision to adopt a version of the standard next year. Keynote speaker Patrick Harvie MSP, ‘Scottish Government Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights’, gave an update on how the ‘Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard’ policy is developing. Leading the way, Scotland is the first nation to adopt the Passivhaus standard, or its equivalent, previous adoption by Brussels, Vancouver, Massachusetts, and Heidelberg have only been adopted on a municipality level.
The Passivhaus standard is not new to Scotland, it was recognised some time ago that upfront investment in the standard across new construction was beneficial in the long term with significant benefits to health and the reduction of carbon emissions. The conference showcased a wide range of new and completed projects which included schools and social housing across the region.
Sarah Lewis, Research & Policy Director, Passivhaus Trust, commented on the growth of school projects adopting the standard, “An innovative funding mechanism from the Scottish Futures Trust has encouraged the building of schools to the Passivhaus standard in Scotland. Projects receiving funding need to meet a clean energy target. Funding may reduced based on any performance gap post-completion. The Passivhaus standard effectively eliminates the performance gap, de-risking the securing of funding. It has been impressive how swiftly the industry, supply chain, and clients have adjusted to delivering to the Passivhaus standard in the education sector.”
With the growth of projects adopting the standard, Aluprof were on hand at the Passivhaus exhibition area to introduce their two curtain wall systems and two window and door systems that carry Passivhaus certification:
Aluprof’s curtain wall system MB-SR50N Hi+, offers a slim capped mullion transom system of just 50mm. The system uses polyethylene profiles to offer high levels of insulation, allowing the system to reach a Uf from 0.59 W/(m2K). The high level of thermal insulation is coupled with excellent weather resistance of up to 1,200 Pa for both airtightness and watertightness.
Aluprof’s curtain wall system MB-TT50 further enhances the abilities of the MB-SR50N Hi+ by allowing a greater thickness of glass to be accommodated. The system uses polyethylene profiles to offer high levels of insulation allowing the system to reach a class leading Uf from 0.5 W/(m2K). The high level of thermal insulation is coupled with an improved weather resistance of up to 1,350 Pa for airtightness and up to 1,800 for watertightness.
Aluprof’s window and door system MB-104 PASSIV SI and MB-104 PASSIV AERO offersopenable windows that can offer an insulation value of Uw from 0.52 W/(m2K) whilst retaining high levels of weatherability, Class 4 for air permeability for an openable window and 1,800 Pa for watertightness for an openable window.
Aluprof UK takes pride in supplying Passivhaus certified windows and curtain walling systems for one of the world's largest Passivhaus-rated student accommodation projects, nearing completion. Situated at the Frenchay Campus, the new accommodation building for the University of the West of England (UWE) spans approximately 65,000m2 and offers 2,250 new student residences.
Additionally, Aluprof systems and products are featured in the ambitious 'Greenhaus' project, set to become the largest Passivhaus social housing scheme in Manchester and the North West of England. This nine-storey development, located in Chapel Street, Salford, comprises 96 affordable homes.
All Passivhaus enquiries received by Aluprof are dealt with by experienced technicians who can help choose the right configuration for any project. As important as the right choice of product, Aluprof are also able to offer design assistance for the structure surrounding the system to ensure reveal cold bridging is reduced an absolute minimum.
Aluprof are proud to be one of Europe's largest aluminium systems companies. Specification support is available through the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk, directly from their UK head office in Altrincham or from their London office at the Building Design Centre by phoning +44 (0) 161 941 4005.
