Our first venture into Modern Methods of Construction
Located off Dunston Road and surrounded by the stunning panoramic views of Chesterfield, this collection of 32 Low Carbon Homes is a landmark project in sustainable residential development.
This was our first venture into Modern Methods of Construction, and the community, known as ‘360’, was conceived to demonstrate that low-carbon living can be both elegant and attainable.
Clever, Not Complicated
The homes are designed to be clever, not complicated, focusing on enriching lives by making it simple for occupants to reduce their environmental impact and enjoy a higher quality of life. In partnership with Together Housing, these homes were offered as Affordable Rental properties, which at the time of build (2019) was a revolutionary offering in the affordable homes market.
A Focus on Sustainable Construction
Offsite fabricationThe foundation of the project's sustainability is its unique offsite fabrication method. The homes are built using a sustainable timber frame with a closed panel design, a process that is both fast and efficient. This method dramatically reduces carbon emissions throughout the home's entire lifecycle, from fabrication and build to its eventual removal.
The production process is meticulously designed to minimize waste and transport-related emissions:
Reducing Transportation
The production factory is co-located with the sawmill, reducing transportation needs.
Maximising Yield
CNC technology maximises the yield from timber logs, and all timber by-products are used to fuel an onsite biomass energy plant.
Positive Ecological Impact
For every tree felled, two more are planted, ensuring a positive ecological impact.
Quicker, Cleaner, Safer
This approach not only reduces the onsite build time to approximately seven to ten weeks—half the time of a comparable traditional home—but also improves quality tolerances and creates a cleaner, safer working environment.
Building better homes for the future
Strata have developed a close working relationship with a number of partners, who can deliver an MMC product which utilises sustainable timber frames with a closed panel design.
Intelligent Living & Unprecedented Efficiency
Each home includes the Wondrwall intelligent living system, which uses machine learning and predictive modeling to learn the occupants' living patterns. This technology intuitively adjusts to the unique needs of the home, leading to significant reductions in energy costs and waste.
Key features of this system include:
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Smart Cylinder with Smart Controller: This system adjusts the amount of water heated to suit living patterns, only warming the required amount from the top of the cylinder. It can also be connected to solar power as a primary energy source.
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Intelligent Switches: Acting as smart thermostats, these switches perform automated temperature adjustments based on real-time data from the home.
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Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR): This system supplies and extracts air, reducing the home's carbon footprint.
The PassiveHaus standard of air tightness, combined with these smart technologies, results in homes that are approximately 15% cheaper to run than traditional builds.
The Occupier Experience
Beyond its technical specifications, the project is rooted in the belief that homes should enhance health and wellbeing. The floorplans are designed to be flexible, offering residents the space to grow and adapt to their changing needs.
Every home includes premium features as standard:
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Neff kitchen appliances
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Contemporary sanitaryware
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Triple glazed windows
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Landscaped front gardens and external lighting
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Dry underfloor heating to the ground floor
This commitment to quality is upheld regardless of the model of ownership, ensuring every resident benefits from the same level of care and attention.
The project's success demonstrates that sustainable, low-carbon living is not a compromise on comfort or quality, but a path to a more efficient, cost-effective, and enjoyable way of life.
Get in touch
Ready to build a successful partnership with a principal contractor you can trust? Let's discuss how our expertise can bring your next residential project to life.