Bouncing back

Is the Canadian Super E® Building System poised to assist the emerging housing market? Jeff Culp, general manager of the Super E programme explains

AS THE UK gradually emerges from one of the worst recessions in recent history, there will be a need for fast, cost-effective housing solutions that meet the tightening requirements in terms of fabric and structure of the Code for Sustainable Homes, at either Code Level 3 or Code Level 4. Canada’s Super E® House Programme believes that as projects ramp back up and registered providers re-engage with their developer partners, whole package solutions will be sought from structural frame providers that have a proven, tried-and-tested track record of supply to the market.

The Super E® House Programme is a Canadian Government-backed technical standard and quality assurance scheme that has been running in the UK for 10 years.

Well over 500 Super E® homes have been provided to the private and public sector markets in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The projects range from custom homes selling in excess of £1 million to large-scale social housing developments, where thermal performance, airtightness and build quality are now the expected norm and easily delivered by the Super E system.

The common denominator between the two extreme market segments is that Super E quality remains the same. Optimum performing building components within the wall fabric and attention to junction connection detailing underpin a focus on reduced air leakage.

This is proven for all Super E homes – each Super E home is individually tested for thermal performance, moisture control, healthy indoor air and airtightness.

In the 10 years since Super E entered the UK market, other building system profiles, such as PassivHaus, have emerged. PassivHaus and Super E preach basically the same principles, but Super E has been able to provide affordable, low-carbon volume housing due to its unique approach to training, technical support and quality assurance systems.

The Canadian Government has continued to support Super E system providers through the
downturn in Asia and Europe, as demonstrated by quick technical adjustments reflecting changes in Part L of the Building Regulations and the new emphasis on the Code for Sustainable Homes. Key government supporter, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has supported each Super E member by having all their junction details thermographically modelled, by independent local UK consultant in anticipation of Part L changes.

This should give Super E suppliers a head start in the SAP scores will in many cases negate the need for to install micro-renewable systems to win the points needed to reach Code Levels 3 or 4.

Super E has undertaken on-going market research in the UK to fully understand the needs of each market segment. The current focus of the programme is on the social housing market – simply because Super E easily meets the requirement in fabric. Super E is also turning more attention to the executive custom home market where brand-conscious builders want to differentiate their offering to discerning customers.

In addition, Super E has recently appointed a UK representative to field enquiries and to provide
technical support in UK time. The move was felt necessary to demonstrate Super E’s on-going
commitment through the market downturn.

Super E has a history of thinking long-term. The first test modelling of the concept which led
to Super E was in 1983 with the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Research House. The Research House was the first to demonstrate the principle of build tight and ventilate right. Since then,
the system has undergone refinements to meet the needs of volume housing and also to
deliver a solution to custom home builders that want enhanced performance from the building fabric, improved indoor air quality and reduced heating bills. The endorsement of the Canadian
Government adds to buyer confidence.

Super E is fully committed to the UK market because of its new emphasis on reducing carbon
emissions from domestic dwellings. Canada has a long history of delivering on this agenda, and is pleased it can help its British friends without them going through the innovation paid experienced in Canada.