HAVEN, A LITTLE CORNER OF PARADISE

The Haven project, launched in Horning, Norfolk, perfectly illustrates the current trend towards more environmentally friendly construction. The old designs were replaced with a new, stylish and sustainable boathouse/shed, which blends seamlessly into and enhances the picturesque waterside village of Horning. Due to the extremely high flooding of the Norfolk Broads wetland, only Accoya wood offered the necessary durability to meet the project's requirements. 



Unique design

Supplied by International Timber Ltd., Accoya wood was used for the cladding, decking, and privacy screen. Architects Lambert, Scott, and Inne modernized the design by creating a unique, curved plywood screen at the rear of the house. As the sea is an important feature in Norfolk, the screen was designed to evoke the traditional timber construction of a boat. The Accoya screen was manufactured in the Netherlands by Newham & Abel Ltd. It was coated with merbau, a colored protective coating also used for the cladding.

 

The ground floor of the house is 1,3 meters above ground level to prevent flooding, which is common in this region. Accoya is the only wood capable of withstanding such conditions without shrinking, while retaining all of its qualities. In this area, Accoya has already proven its superiority even over the finest exotic woods.

 

The separate boathouse, also clad in sustainable Accoya wood, is a perfect addition to this riverside property. It is strategically positioned above the water level to allow the water to flow freely in the event of flooding. This boathouse is the perfect place to safely store a boat in all weather conditions.



Environmentally friendly construction



The house's energy consumption is 60% lower than required by current building standards and meets Level 4 of the Low Energy Homes Code. The building is equipped with a ground-source heat pump that produces 9,7 kW and preheats the water and underfloor heating systems to save even more energy. The house is powered by photovoltaic cells that produce 1,8 kW of electricity, enough to meet the house's needs. The roof has also been designed to be particularly eco-friendly: covered in green sedum, it helps limit the risk of flooding. By absorbing rainwater, the sedum reduces the amount of water that runs off to the ground. It also encourages biodiversity by providing a suitable habitat for flora and fauna. 



The Haven project aims to demonstrate the versatility and extreme durability of Accoya wood, especially in such unusual conditions. The beauty and flexibility of Accoya make this unique design both practical and elegant.



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For further information, an interview or high-resolution images, please contact Charlotte Fougères/Tom Niblett at Fuel PR on 020 7498 8211 or by email at charlotte@fuelrefuel.com / tom@fuelrefuel.com



To access the Accsys Technologies Plc newsletter archive, log in to www.accsysplc.com/news.asp



Notes to Editors:



Accsys Technologies PLC (www.accsysplc.com) is a company whose business is primarily focused on the production of Accoya® wood and the licensing of technology through its subsidiary, Titan Wood Limited, whose production site is located in Arnhem, the Netherlands, the European office in London and the US office in Dallas, Texas. Accsys Technologies PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market and on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange by Euronext NYSE, under the symbol 'AXS'. Accsys's operations comprise three main units: (i) the Accoya® wood production site; (ii) the Technology Development Division, which focuses on a program of continuous improvements to process engineering and operational protocols for the acetylation of wood, currently under development, as well as the development of technology for the acetylation of wood components; and (iii) the licensing of technology for the production of Accoya® wood and Tricoya® wood components worldwide.



Medite Europe Ltd. (www.medite-europe.comMedite is part of the Coillte Panel Products company and is owned by Coillte, the Irish forest products company. Medite products are recognized as the benchmark for quality, consistency, and performance in the MDF sector, as well as for their certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Medite has positioned itself at the forefront of the market for technological innovation, introducing advancements such as mold resistance, fire retardancy, suitability for outdoor use, formaldehyde-free MDF, and high-quality wood varieties for flooring, while its innovation program is ongoing.



Coillte Panel Products (www.coillte.ie) is a major and powerful player in the European market for composite wood panels. Its Medite MDF and SmartPly OSB brands are FSC certified, which differentiates them from several competing and substitute products and makes them capable of meeting the environmental standards that are becoming increasingly important for designers, standards-setting engineers, architects and clients for both categories of projects, both public and private.



Acetylation of wood is a process that increases the amount of 'acetyl' molecules in wood, thus changing its physical properties. The process protects the wood from rot by making it inedible to most microorganisms and fungi, without making it toxic—unlike conventional treatments. This process significantly reduces the wood's tendency to swell and shrink, making it less prone to cracking, and dramatically reducing maintenance after staining.



Wood Accoya® (www.accoya.comAccoya® is produced using a patented process that efficiently converts sustainably sourced softwood and non-sustainable hardwood into what is aptly described as "high-tech wood." Distinguished by its wear resistance, dimensional stability, and perhaps most importantly, its reliability (in terms of both consistent supply and quality), Accoya® is particularly well-suited for outdoor applications where performance and appearance are valued. Unlike most tropical and European hardwoods, its color does not fade when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, the Accoya® production process does not compromise the wood's rigidity or its workability. The combination of UV resistance, dimensional stability, wear resistance, and retained rigidity means that Accoya® wood offers a wealth of new opportunities for architects, designers, and engineers who set the standards. For shipbuilding applications, where weight is also critical, Accoya® wood provides shipbuilders, for the first time, with a wood that is strong, lightweight, and retains its natural beauty for much longer. To access the complete Accoya® news archive, log in to www.accoya.com/news.asp.



Medite Tricoya® combines technologies from the two partners who signed the JDA agreement in London in June 2009.

Scion ( www.scionresearch.com )

Scion is a Royal New Zealand Research Institute that undertakes the development of research, science and technology in forestry, wood products, biomaterials and bioenergy. Scion's work contributes to beneficial economic, environmental and social outcomes for New Zealand. Formerly the New Zealand Forest Research Institute, Scion employs approximately 340 people and is headquartered in Rotorua. For more information, please visit www.scionresearch.com



Accoya®,  Meditate Tricoya® and the Trimarque motto are registered trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accsys Technologies PLC and may not be reproduced without written permission.