Velux chooses Kettering for carbon neutral model home

Velux has chosen Kettering as the location to launch its revolutionary new concept for carbon neutral living. Plans are underway to build two semi-detached homes, which not only adhere to the highest of eco credentials but also will be easily transferable into the mass housing market.

In partnership with Kettering Borough Council, the North Northants Development Company (NNDC), HTA Architects and Willmott Dixon, VELUX is commencing work on a new project to build a carbon neutral Model Home in Kettering, the home of its UK Sales and Marketing office.

Still in its initial stages, Velux is currently working closely with Kettering Borough Council and NNDC to identify and secure a suitable site to house what is expected to be a pair of three bedroom and four bedroom semi detached, carbon neutral homes.

Kevin Brennan, Head of Sustainability at Velux Company Ltd, comments:

“This is an exciting new project for both Velux and the Kettering borough. It will not only put Kettering on the map as a leader in energy efficient housing but it will create employment for the local community. The Model Home 2020 project is part of our wider strategy to take an active part in developing sustainable buildings. However, unlike with similar projects and experiments that have already taken place, we have put the consumer at the centre of the process - our aim is to build a UK carbon neutral home that reflects the important balance between energy design and a high living factor.

“The project aims to prove that it is possible to build energy efficient housing that is both appealing to the consumer and can be easily and affordably replicated by the volume housebuilder – making it accessible for all. The homes must have a high livability factor and must not require their occupants to considerably alter their lifestyle in order to maintain the home’s energy efficiency. Instead, we want to prove that you can build carbon neutral homes that people can afford to buy and want to live in.”

Councillor Jim Hakewill, Leader of Kettering Borough Council, comments:

“I am absolutely delighted that Kettering Borough is the selected search location for this excellent Velux initiative. The Borough Council is always keen to support appropriate green initiatives. I can think of nothing more appropriate than developing pioneering homes that will, in a few short years, be relevant to the local housing market, real homes for real people. I am particularly enthusiastic about the way in which Velux wants to consider the lifestyle of people living in low carbon homes as this will be the key to greater acceptance both from the house building industry and their customers in the future.”

Simon Evans, Chief Executive of North Northants Development Company, added:

“This exciting project is a perfect reflection of our wider aspirations for North Northamptonshire. Over the last few years, this area has been driving growth with world-class design and infrastructure projects. Velux’s plans balance the area’s desire for growth with the need for eco-friendly construction methods and an enhanced quality of life for residents.”

The wider Velux Model Home 2020 project incorporates plans to build six one-to-one experiments between 2008 to 2010, in the form of six demonstration houses. The houses will all reflect and respond to three main principles – efficient energy design, high living factor and minimum climate impact – as well as the different climatic, cultural and architectural conditions of the countries in which they are built.

The six experiments will be placed at six different locations in five different countries in Europe. The houses will be open to the public for 6-12 months after completion, after which time they will be sold below the market price. In return, Velux will continue to monitor the experiments with the new residents in order to learn how the buildings perform in real life conditions.

By 2009, the houses will have been built in Denmark (Copenhagen, Aarhus) and Austria, with the UK, Germany and France following in 2010. Each house will also have a number of local and regional partners, suppliers, architects, engineers and researchers.