• Region: Exmouth, Devon
• Client: East Devon District Council
• Value: £320,000
• Contract terms: JCT Minor Works 2011
• Contract duration: 36 weeks
• Completed: October 2016
• Client score – 'HS&E attitude and approach': 9/10
• Site features and challenges: First multiple-occupancy EnerPHit in Southwest/complex building/restricted access

Mi-space was approached by East Devon District Council (EDDC) to deliver their proposed renovation of a terraced Victorian property in central Exmouth to form single person accommodation, with the project targeting EnerPHit certification, a standard for retrofit projects offering improved energy performance through the use of Passivhaus technology.  EDDC have identified the elimination of fuel poverty as a key objective, and an integral part of their long-term strategy for improving resident living conditions. The scheme was a pilot project assessing EnerPHit certification as a potential way to achieve this aim.

The scheme was challenging, comprising only the second EnerPHit project in the Southwest and the first in a terraced or multiple-occupancy property. The building itself presented a number of difficulties, from its location on a main road with limited access through to its constituent materials and layout, and the Mi-space team was required to innovate on a regular basis to provide compliant solutions which did not significantly compromise the client’s budget or programme requirements.

Continued dialogue with the client post-completion has provided scope for individual element performance monitoring, and allows lessons learnt to be carried forward by both client and contractor in terms of cost-effective energy performance.

“We have had to work closely with our partners Mi-space on the delivery of this challenging property and, consequently, we have learned a great deal in terms of producing our first Quality Approved Passivhaus property. I would like to extend my thanks to the team who have worked hard to deliver the project within a tight timeframe.” – Amy Gilbert, East Devon District Council