Testing energy efficiency in Thamesmead

Gallions Housing Association and Fraser Brown MacKenna Architects are working on a project to test and monitor the effectiveness of new products that will improve energy efficiency in the home.

A 1960s property along Wolvercote Road, Thamesmead, has been selected and will be kitted out with the latest cladding, roofing and glazing technologies. Bexley Council granted planning permission for the project which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Gallions and partnering Architects, Fraser Brown MacKenna, have also added a new dimension to the project. The unit size will be increased from a four-bed six person house to a seven-bed nine person house; addressing the over crowding issues amongst London’s social landlords.

The project is part of the government backed Retrofit for the Future competition; which aims to develop a host of innovative refurbishment strategies to cut CO2 emissions across low-rise social housing in the UK by 80 per cent[by 2050.