Edinburgh Napier University

  This report was commissioned by the Product Design Department at Cala Group Ltd (CALA) from the Scottish Energy Centre (review team) to assess current designs and construction methods. This review forms part of work package 1 (WP1) proposed as the first stage report for the wider CALA housing review of construction process, occupant wellbeing and handover process, submitted in July 2017.
The aim of the study is to make an appraisal of three dwellings currently being built; making comments on alternative changes for improved construction, energy efficiency and sustainability. The study also seeks to benchmark the current designs against other construction systems and housing designs making emphasis on their thermal performance, cost and time on site.
The focus of this report is to inform not only of any changes that may be required in the current construction and design process but also investigate links for innovation in design and delivery of homes considering the circular economy and economies of scale in housing developments.
This review is split into two stages; a construction and design appraisal, and a second referring to other building systems and dwelling designs as means of a benchmark.