Research and Guidance

 The GHA runs a series of research and guidance projects, in partnership with leading academics, industry practitioners, and policy makers. Current and recent projects are listed below.

GHA RESEARCH PORTFOLIO
Performance Monitoring
Phase 1, Fabric testing - Provision of technical support for GHA Developers in monitoring the fabric performance of their dwellings. Phase 1A covers 4 dwellings on 3 sites, all using different build systems (e.g. SIPS panels or thin joint masonry) and built to different standards, including Code 4, Code 5 and Ecohomes Excellent. Phase 1B has extended this monitoring to cover 4 further dwellings, including Code 4, Code 5 and Passivhaus schemes, and built using timber frame, Hemcrete and other systems.
Phase 2, In-use monitoring and post occupancy evaluation – Extension of the above monitoring on each site, to measure energy and water consumption, indoor air quality, humidity and thermal comfort, and occupant feedback.
Funded by Department of Communities and Local Government, Energy Saving Trust and NHBC Foundation. 
Ventilation and indoor air quality (VIAQ)
A project to identify good practice approaches to ventilation and low energy building design, that lead to good indoor air quality. The project will gather data from leading-edge projects that have recently been completed, covering whole house, mechanical extract, passive and natural ventilation solutions, and will examine common problems such as integrated design, installation, commissioning, and user behaviour.
Funded by the NHBC Foundation.
PREVIOUS GHA RESEARCH
Energy Monitoring
Research into approaches to energy monitoring, development of outline guidance (and membership requirements) for GHA Developer members and identification of further needs for support or assistance. Activities for this year include preparation of a short think paper on energy monitoring and input to a GHA education event in April 2009.
Good Homes Case Studies
Collection of information and performance data about leading sustainable housing projects, and preparation of detailed case studies. Previous studies have included: 1) One Brighton by BioRegional Quintain 2) Bladon, Oxfordshire by Kingerlee Homes 3) Stawell by ECOS Homes.
Health, Social and Neighbourhood Aspects of Good Homes
The GHA has completed work on a scoping study, sponsored by RedTree LLP to explore the health, social and community aspects of Good Homes. The full project included a series of interviews, case studies & guidance notes, with the ultimate aim of developing membership criteria that GHA Developers will be required to adopt. This scoping study examined existing research and guidance, and collated GHA members' views on the key factors for a good neighbourhood. Please see the Library to download a copy.
Low Carbon Homes - LowCarb4Real
The GHA worked with Leeds Metropolitan University and UCL on a project sponsored by UrbanBuzz, to gather evidence and good practice about how to deliver low carbon homes. Drawing on detailed academic studies at Stamford Brook along with GHA member experience, the GHA disseminated and implement this learning by providing education and technical support to GHA Developer members and others. Please see CeBe at Leeds Met for more info. Also see below and in the Library.
 

Upcoming events RSS feed

  1. FEB 22

    Healthy Homes: Ventilating right for good indoor air quality

    Department of Health, Skipton House, 80 London Road, London SE1 6LH

  2. FEB 22

    GHA Annual General Meeting

    Department of Health, Skipton House, 80 London Road, London SE1 6LH

  3. MAR 20

    Anticipated Part L 2013: Towards Target Zero

    Ecobuild 2012. ExCel Centre, Royal Docks, London

  4. APR 04

    Taking stock of Planning Reform

    Town and Country Planning Association 17 Carlton House Terrace, London

Members Area RSS feed

  1. 1-2-12

    Good Homes Alliance AGM

     The next GHA AGM will be held on 22nd February at 1pm. Pete Halsall, Chair of the GHA, will run through GHA achieveme... Read more >

Latest news RSS feed

  1. 3-2-12

    Gentoo's Racecourse passivhaus scheme wins Building Excellence Award

     The Racecourse passivhaus scheme, by Devereux Architects and Gentoo Construction, was awarded 'Best Housing Developme... Read more >

  2. 3-2-12

    Tools for educating residents on use of sustainable technologies

    Can anyone help on a query from Fiona Astin at Synergy?
    Do you know of any good practice on educating residents ... Read more >