Residential dwelling

Abstract

A building has a ground floor comprising a first layer of alternating concrete beams and insulation modules arranged above a foundation for the building, with a ventilated void between the foundation

Description

Field of Invention This relates to the housebuilding sector, and meets the requirements placed on housing design specifically in the affordable housing sector. The building as described will meet the needs of the occupants and a raft of other requirements controlling house design. Background of Invention Housing designs have to meet a raft of different standards to enable the Housing Association to be able to claim grant funding. Also most of these organisations have their own requirements that meet other objectives such as energy efficiency and specification. The key requirements that have to be incorporated in the finished house type range are Building Regulations - specifically part A (Structural), B (Fire safety), E (sound transmission) F (Ventilation) part L (thermal efficiency) O (Overheating) In addition, the NDDS (Nationally Described Space Standards) also have to be considered. These include the minimum dimensions and design criteria to make homes comfortable, safe and adaptable, to allow people to carry on everyday activities at ease. SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) requirements are all mandatory in all new dwellings in the UK. SAP calculations a SAP rating indicating a dwellings energy performance to enable an Energy Performance certificate to be issued. A Rated -some end users require an A rating meaning the SAP rating must be between 92 and 100 out of 100. This is the highest rating and poses unique challenges to the design. In April 2024 it was announced that government data shows that only 5 per cent of new homes achieved the top rating of A on their energy performance certificate (EPC) in the past year. All new homes must meet a raft of literally thousand of pages of regulatory requirements listed below. Building Regulations - specifically part A (Structural), B (Fire safety), E (sound transmission) F (Ventilation) part L (thermal efficiency) O (Overheating) NDDS (Nationally Described Space Standards) - These include the minimum dimensions and design criteria to make homes comfortable, safe and adaptable, to allow people to carry on everday activities at ease. SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) - This is mandatory in all new dwellings in the UK. SAP calculations a SAP rating indicating a dwellings energy performance to enable an Energy Performance certificate to be issued. A Rated - our clients require an A rating meaning the SAP rating must be between 92 and 100 out of 100. This is the highest rating and poses unique challenges to the design. Client Specifications - whilst each organisation has their own requirements we have sifted through these to find the common aspects that can be incorporated in our “Sustain” house types. This includes ensuring materials meet relevant British Standards, are sourced from sustainable sources and are from suppliers that can offer replacements for repairs in the future. Statements of Invention According to an example there is provided a building comprising: a ground floor, left and right side walls, and front and rear walls, and at least one doorway in one of the walls to provide entrance into the building; wherein the wall containing the doorway has a threshold for the doorway at the base of the wall; wherein all of the walls are comprised of an external wall formed of brick, and an internal wall formed of plasterboard, with a gap between the external wall and the internal wall; further comprising a timber frame, with a width between 120mm-150mm inserted into the gap incorporating PIR rigid insulation for the wall, the insulation having a width 110-130mm, the timber frame having a breathable membrane on one side of the frame facing the external wall of the walls; wherein there is a service void between the timber frame and the internal party wall of between 30-40mm, a plasterboard ceiling, positioned over the tops of the walls of the building; an insulation layer of minimum thickness 450mm above the ceiling; and a roof over the ceiling of the building: wherein the ground floor for the dwelling comprising: a first layer comprised of alternating concrete beams and insulation modules, wherein the layer is arranged to have insulation modules adjacent to the external walls of the building, wherein the depth of the concrete beam is greater than the depth of the insulation module; the width of the concrete beam is between 75-140mm, and the width of the insulation module is between 150540mm, and the fist layer is positioned above a pre-existing foundation for the building; with a ventilated void between the foundation and the base of the first layer of between 100-200mm; a 1200 gauge primary damp proof course over the first layer of the insulation modules and concrete beams, extending upwardly alongside the interior of the left and right side walls and front and back walls, and passing through the internal and external walls to the exterior of all of the external walls, to extend around the exterior perimeter of the building 150mm above ground level; an insulation top sheet over the primary damp proof course, with a depth between 100-200mm, wherein the insulation sheet has an upstand of between 10-50mm, at the edges of the sheet adjacent to the internal walls of the building; a cement layer having a depth between 50-100mm over the insulation layer a 500-gauge vapour barrier layer over the cement layer; the building further comprising: a secondary damp proof course positioned in all of the exterior walls between layers of brick, and located above the primary damp course, 300mm above ground level with a cavity tray and weepholes above the secondary damp proof course; a further damp course located below the primary damp course, under the insulation moules of the first layer of the floor, extending around the perimeter of the building. Preferably, the service void is 33mm. In an embodiment, the concrete beams are provided with an inset, on either side of the beam, so that the insulation module is positioned between two beams, on the opposed insets of the adjacent beams, above the base of the concrete beams. Preferably, the inset on the concrete beam is located 40-60mm from the base of the concrete beam. In an embodiment, the insulation module in the first layer is an expanded polystyrene block. Further preferably, the insulation module has a depth of between 75-150mm.-Still further preferably, the insulation module has a depth of 100 mm. In an example, wherein the insulation module has a length between 1950-5000 mm. Preferably, the concrete beam has a depth between 100-200mm. Further preferably, the concrete beam has a depth of 155mm. In an example, the depth of the insulation top sheet is 150mm. Preferably, the cement layer has a depth of 75mm. In a preferred embodiment, the upstand of the insulation sheet has a height of 25mm. Preferably, the building further comprising one or more interior walls, to divide the interior of the building into a plurality of walls. In a preferred embodiment, the building is a residential dwelling. Brief Description of The Drawings The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification and serve to further illustrate various embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and to explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an example of an external wall with timber frame according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 shows an example of a party wall and floor according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 3 shows an alternative example of a party wall and floor according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 4 shows an example of a ground floor and exterior wall according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 5 is an alternative view of an example of a ground floor and exterior wall according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 6 is an example of a floor and doorway according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is a plan view of a ground floor according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 8 is a front view of housing according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 9 is a rearview of housing according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 10 is a side view of housing according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 11 is a cross sectional side view of housing according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 12 is a cross section side view of housing with two storeys according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 13 is a plan view of a floor layout for housing according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 14(a) is an example of a substructure plan fora building according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 14(b) is an example of an indicative joist layout for a building according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG 15 is an example of a roof plan fora building according to an embodiment of the invention; Detailed Description of the invention As described below, a new and innovative house design is provided to meet the gold standard for according to the national benchmark on building security. The designs include Level access and are Part M42 adaptable. The house designs are cost effective and gives a house that is way above the standards of the average house built in the UK. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an external wall with timber frame for use with a building according to an embodiment of the invention. At 110 Is a timber frame filled with thick PIR rigid insulation to the timber frame void. Preferably the timber frame is 140 millimetres wide with insulation of 120 millimetres attached to one side of the timber frame preferably the installation is attached on the side of the timber frame facing the exterior all rather than the interior wall. 110 a full stop brickwork is shown at 114 to form the exterior wall. Preferably the brickwork is 120.5 millimetres in width. At 116 is a proprietary cavity tray with stop ends locked into the brickwork. 118 shows weep holes positioned above a little with 2225-millimetre centres. At 120 is a cavity to be closed at the intermediate floor level using ARC mineral wall cavity barriers or similar approved material to provide 125 mill clear cavity. This will achieve a minimum 30 minutes of fire resistance. 1122 shows VCL to continue fruit through the floor zone EG solid knocking or Heather joist to seal all penetrations through or around the VSL using flexible sealant or tape. 24 shows OSB and breather membrane to continue down a row floor junction. At 126 is insulation with the minimum or value of nought .75 M kilowatts around the floor perimeter. 128 shows softwood or MDF square profile skirting board including continuous mastic seal with floor. At 130 is a nominal tongue and groove sheet floorboard moisture resistant to bathrooms. Timber joints to engineered specifications with 50-millimetre gypsum plasterboard to use on the underside of the joints. 134 indicates a ceiling between a lower floor and an upper floor. 134 indicates plasterboard with nominal skin finish too provide the interior walls of the building below this at 136 is a vapour control level. Also shown are features 140 and 142 , which are additional insulation for the building, either in the wall or below the floor. Timber frame construction is a time effective, sustainable alternative to traditional brick and blockwork cavity wall. The frames are prefabricated off-site allowing for faster assembly on site as well as reducing on-site wastage. The system has lower carbon footprint than traditional methods of construction, reducing impact on the environment. The timber frame construction chosen for these particular houses is 140mm paired with 120mm PIR rigid insulation. It offers excellent thermal efficiency and airtightness, creating highly sustainable houses and lowering future need for heating and cooling leading to long term cost savings using the Timber frame construction as well as increasing the speed of build and providing increased energy efficiency. FIG. 2 shows an example of a party wall 201 and ground floor 250 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG 3 shows an alternative example of a party wall 201 and floor250 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown 202, is the cavity within the party wall 201.204 shows a sheathing layer, and 206 shows the timber stud wall of the party wall. The timber frame party wall 201 is designed to meet the requirements of current regulations and to resist the transfer of sound between properties. The timber frame will sit on dense blockwork over the block and beam floor as described later. With mineral cavity wall insulation 205. Service void 210 is shown within the party wall, preferably this is a 33mm service void. 212 shows a one-layer Gyproc sound block plasterboard with skim finish preferably the plasterboard is 12.5 millimetres thick, and the skin finishes 2.5 millimetres. 214 shows the sealant between the skirting Board 215 and the main floor 250. 216 illustrates a vapour barrier or similar layer above Layer 218 cement and screed finish layer. Preferably this is 75 millimetres deep. Below this is insulation layer 220 of extended polystyrene insulation or the similar approved material, this sits above rigid insulation layer 224, preferably this is 75mm in depth. The block and beam floor 224 will be described in more detail later on. 230 shows a cavity wall construction below the ground level comprised of 100-millimetre dense black blockwork to the top of the foundation at the site of this is ventilated void 228. Preferably this is 150 millimetres high. The cavity wall construction 230 includes coursing brick 236 included in the block and beam floor design with a lower damp proof course 231 laid below B block and blamed floor. Also shown is damp proof course 236, 234, which overlap to ensure continuity of the damp proof course. FIG 3 Shows the arrangement of the block and beam floor layout 224 in more detail. That is there are alternating insulation modules 260 and beams 262 along the entire floor. Preferably the depth of this floor layer is 155 millimetres. The ventilated void below this has a depth of 150 millimetres. The concrete beams 262 are provided with an inset 265, on either side of the beam, so that the insulation module 260 is positioned between two beams, on the opposed insets of the adjacent beams, above the base of the concrete beams. Preferably, the inset on the concrete beam is located 40-60mm from the base of the concrete beam. In an embodiment of the invention the insulation module in the first layer is an expanded polystyrene block. More details of these will be provided further on in this description. FIG 4 shows an example of a ground floor and exterior wall according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG 5 is an alternative view of an example of a ground floor and exterior wall according to an embodiment of the invention. Common features from the previous figures have been given the same Reference numerals and will not be described further with reference to these figures. These figures also show telescopic void 270 to ventilate the subfloor and terminated 150 millilitres millimetres above the finished floor level. There are also walls below the damp proof course 272 constructed in dense blockwork with trench blocks below. As shown, there is the lowest dumper of course 231 below the installation module of the layer 224 adjacent to the exterior wall there is the regular damp proof course 234. As well as secondary damp proof course 304, positioned 300mm from the ground level between the brickwork with a cavity tray 302 and weep holes 304 below. As illustrated, the primary damp-proof course 234 is arranged up to the internal face of a timber framed base plate on the interior of the external wall. FIG 6 is an example of a floor and doorway according to an embodiment of the invention. Common features are as previously described, and this also shows door 600, with base lip 602 at the bottom of the door, and gulley 650on the outside of the building. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the layer 224 of the ground floor, showing the alternating arrangement of insulations modules 702, and concrete beams 706, with concrete closures 704 ate each end of the insulation modules adjacent to the internal perimeter of the room. Also shown is level access 710, and insulation upstand 708. Ground floor build up. 75mm sand cement screed 218 500-gauge vapour control layer 216 150mm eps insulation or similar approved 220 1200-gauge visqueen damp proof membrane 222 Insulated block and beam floor 224 Min. 150mm ventilated void 228 The concrete beams are provided with an inset, on either side of the beam, so that the insulation module is positioned between two beams, on the opposed insets of the adjacent beams, above the base of the concrete beams. Preferably, the inset on the concrete beam is located 40-60mm from the base of the concrete beam. In an embodiment of the invention the insulation module in the first layer is an expanded polystyrene block. Preferably, the insulation module has a depth of between 75mm-150mm.-Further preferably, the insulation module has a depth of 100 mm. In an embodiment of the invention, the insulation module has a length between 1950-5000 mm. Preferably, the concrete beam has a depth between 100-200mm. Further the concrete beam has a depth of 155mm. In an embodiment, the depth of the insulation top sheet is 150mm. In an example of the invention, the cement layer has a depth of 75mm. Preferably, the upstand of the insulation sheet has a height of 25mm. As an alternative to traditional beam and block floor it offers cost effective and quick assemble solution to create thermally insulated ground floor. Rigid insulation modules made from lightweight closed cell expanded polystyrene are laid between pre-stressed concrete beams. The floor is finished with EPS top sheet, membrane and concrete topping. The system is quick and easy to install, with the panels designed to last the lifetime of the building, creating a cost and time effective sustainable alternative to traditional ground floor construction. FIG 8 is a front view of housing according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG 9 is a rearview of housing according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG 10 is a side view of housing according to an embodiment of the invention. The housing 800, comprises three dwellings 802, 804, 806 all constructed with the methodology of this invention. Preferably, the buildings comprise A building comprising: a ground floor, left and right side walls, and front and rear walls, and at least one doorway in one of the walls to provide entrance into the building; wherein the wall containing the doorway has a threshold for the doorway at the base of the wall; wherein all of the walls are comprised of an external wall formed of brick, and an internal wall formed of plasterboard, with a gap between the external wall and the internal wall; further comprising a timber frame, with a width between 120mm-150mm inserted into the gap incorporating PIR rigid insulation for the wall, the insulation having a width 110-130mm, the timber frame having a breathable membrane on one side of the frame facing the external wall of the walls; wherein there is a service void between the timber frame and the internal party wall of between 3040mm, a plasterboard ceiling, positioned over the tops of the walls of the building; an insulation layer of minimum thickness 450mm above the ceiling; and a roofoverthe ceiling of the building: wherein the ground floor for the dwelling comprising: a first layer comprised of alternating concrete beams and insulation modules , wherein the layer is arranged to have insulation modules adjacent to the external walls of the building, wherein the depth of the concrete beam is greaterthan the depth of the insulation module; the width of the concrete beam is between 75-140mm, and the width of the insulation module is between 150-540mm, and the fist layer is positioned above a preexisting foundation for the building; with a ventilated void between the foundation and the base of the first layer of between 100-200mm; a 1200 gauge primary damp proof course over the first layer of the insulation modules and concrete beams, extending upwardly alongside the interior of the left and right side walls and front and back walls, and passing through the internal and external walls to the exterior of all of the external walls, to extend around the exterior perimeter of the building 150mm above ground level; an insulation top sheet over the primary damp proof course, with a depth between 100-200mm, wherein the insulation sheet has an upstand of between 1050mm, at the edges of the sheet adjacent to the internal walls of the building; a cement layer having a depth between 50-100mm over the insulation layer; a 500 gauge vapour barrier layer over the cement layer; the building further comprising: a secondary damp proof course positioned in all of the exterior walls between layers of brick, and located above the primary damp course, 300mm above ground level with a cavity tray and weepholes above the secondary damp proof course; a further damp course located below the primary damp course, under the insulation moules of the first layer of the floor, extending around the perimeter of the building. In an embodiment of the invention, the service void is 33mm. Preferably, the building as described may further comprise one or more interior walls, to divide the interior of the building into a plurality of walls. Further preferably, the building is a residential dwelling. The dwellings have a common front wall 808, common real wall 828, side walls 812, 814 and rear wall 816, roof, 810, as well as windows 820, from doors 822, rear doors 826, rear windows 830, and Photovoltaic panels 824 on the roof 810. The External Facing Materials of the dwellings are typically as follows: Roof Tile: Grey Concrete Slate Effect Tile Rosemary Terracotta Tile - External Finishes Render: White Colour render - Fascias / Soffits / Eves Combs: PVC White Colour Rainwater Goods: PVC Black Colour All the included houses are designed in line with NDSS (Nationally Described Space Standards). These standards set out the requirements for gross internal areas as well as areas for key spaces such as bedrooms and built-in storage. It ensures that all the houses provide comfortable spaces which will suit a wide range of potential residents. Ceilings preferably provided with 450MM MIN. insulation and 12.5MM plasterboard ceiling. All ceiling heights are designed to minimise on site waste connected with materials offcuts. The heights are adapted to work with standard material sizes, reducing the amount of offcuts, leading to a more sustainable construction. The windows on all the houses are sized to achieve the maximum efficiency between providing daylight, ventilation as well as reducing the risk of overheating. Part O (overheating) calculations have been carried out for each of the houses to ensure that it complies with the regulations as well as provides comfortable living conditions for future residents. The sizes of the windows as well as opening style has been adapted to make sure that enough ventilation is provided in each room to reduce risk of overheating in summer months. A well-balanced window size is crucial to achieve a comfortable atmosphere in every room, with solar gains in winter months reducing need for heating and ventilation in summer months overcoming overheating risks. Air Source Heat Pumps The use of Air Source Heat Pump as a heating source contributes to the overall sustainability of the houses. Air Source Heat Pumps take heat from the outside air and transfer it into a fluid refrigerant. The fluid is then passed through a compressor which raises its temperature and uses the heat for central heating system (in this case radiators). The Air Source Heat Pump is also connected to the hot water cylinder, providing hot water for the house. Although not shown in the figures, the buildings as described may be provided with air source heat pumps. PV Panels Solar PV panels offer a renewable energy source which paired with the excellent thermal efficiency and Air Source Heat Pump, creates a sustainable home and offers long term savings in running cost. When paired with other technologies such as ASHP or electric car chargers the PV panels help in reducing the carbon footprint of future residents. FIG 11 is a cross-sectional side view of housing according to an embodiment of the invention showing the internal arrangement within a single storey dwelling, as well as the floor described with reference to earlier figures. FIG 12 is a cross-section side view of housing with two storeys according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG 13 is a plan view of a floor layout for housing according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG 14(a) is an example of a substructure plan 1400 for a building according to an embodiment of the invention. The substructure 1400 has the following requirements: Foundations to be of a site-specific design to suit individual site conditions, as produced and approved by site engineering consultant. Foundations to be to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector. Design should be in accordance with relevant Building Regulations (Section A1 / 2 Section 2E) and other statutory requirements with min. cover in accordance with BS 8004:1986 and BS 8110:1997. Foundations to be taken down to a level below invert of any adjacent drainage. All services to pass through wall above foundation - provide PCC lintel over services where they pass through walls. Ensure Damp Proof Membrane is lapped upside of floor slab &returned under blockwork. Beam &block floor manufacturer to advise if I where sleeper walls are required - subject to confirmation. Subfloor ventilation - indicative openings identified. Two opposing external walls should have ventilation openings placed so that the ventilating air will have a free path between opposite sides and to all parts of the floor void. The openings should be not less than either 1500mm2 / m run of external wall or 500mm2 / m2 of floor area, whichever gives the greater opening area. Ventilation openings should incorporate suitable grilles which prevent the entry of vermin to the subfloor but do not resist the air flow unduly. FIG 14(b) is an example of an indicative joist layout 1450 fora building according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG 15 is an example of a roof plan 1500 for a building according to an embodiment of the invention> Cross sections of the roof are also shown in figures 11 and 12. The details for the construction of the roof are as follows: All roof trusses to be @ 600mm crs max. &fixed in accordance with BS:5268. Spandrel panels used where required. Manufacturer to check dimensions prior to fabrication. 100 x 50mm sw wallplates throughout. All roof bracing to comply with BS:5268. All timber bracing to trussed rafters to be 100x25mm min. C16 grade timber and nailed twice into each trussed rafter, and to the wall. plate. Nailing should be 3.35mm (10 gauge) x 65mm long galvanized round, wire nails. No longitudinal or diagonal bracing to penetrate any separating I party wall. Longitudinal bracing to tightly abut separating I party wall and be in line or nearly in line on both sides of separating I party wall. Long bracing members may be lap jointed, providing the overlap is nailed. to at least 2 No. roof truss members. For alternative or 'Specialist' bracing refer to Truss Manufacturers or Engineers specific details. Adjacent ends of bracing members are to be fixed in close proximity to one another. Restraint straps to be provided where highlighted within separate, specification notes. The top of all party walls to be fire stopped with minimum of 25mm thick mineral wool laid above &below roofing membrane. Where water entry enters within 750mm of external leaf face, pipe to be insulated I suitably protected from freezing where passing through internal floor void. Movement Joints required to be min of 550mm from the inside ofof gable walls in accordance current guidelines. Room sizes Room Heights - all designed to eliminate waste by matching standard sheet material sizes. Optimum room sizes to meet space standards and create rooms that are usable and popular for residents. The combination of sustainable technologies such as Air Source Heat Pumps and solar panels with modern methods of construction (timber frame, insulated ground floor, PIR insulation) offers opportunity to create a highly sustainable house. Using timber frame allows for cost and time efficient construction with reduce material waste on site. The frames are accurately designed and prefabricated offsite, reducing any material offcuts and on-site wastage as well as speeding up the entire construction process. The presented houses benefit from highly efficient thermal envelope thanks to combination of insulated timber frame and insulated ground floor, reducing energy needs for heating or cooling, achieving A rated Energy Efficiency. Additionally, many of the materials are locally sourced reducing the need fortransport to site which in turns reduces the overall carbon footprint of the construction. The buildings as described for this invention have one or more of the following advantages: superior SAP rating A rated. Cost effective as minuses waste. Quicker to build. Optimum room sizes Uses lates technology (Air Source Heating) Reduced carbon footprint Cheaper More energy efficient Less wastage of materials Attractive design - rooms sizes and external kerb appeal These properties will be A rated with scores of 92-100. Average house in UK has a score of 66. In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that the claims are not limited to the specific examples described above. Details have not been explained in any greater extent than that considered necessary, for the understanding and appreciation of the underlying concepts of the present invention and in order not to distract from the teachings of the present invention. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the terms ‘a’ or ‘an,’ as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as ‘at least one’ in the claims should not be construed to imply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinite articles ‘a’ or ‘an’ limits any particular claim to embodiments of the invention containing only one such element. The same holds true for the use of definite articles. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as ‘first’ and ‘second’ are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.

Claims

1. A building comprising:a ground floor, left and right-side walls, and front and rear walls, and at least one doorway in one of the walls to provide entrance into the building; wherein the wall containing the doorway has a threshold for the doorway at the base of the wall; wherein all of the walls are comprised of an external wall formed of brick, and an internal wall formed of plasterboard, with a gap between the external wall and the internal wall;further comprising a timber frame, with a width between 120mm-150mm inserted into the gap between the external wall and the internal wall, incorporating PIR rigid insulation for the wall, the insulation having a width 110-130mm, the timber frame having a breathable membrane on one side of the frame facing the external wall of the walls;wherein there is a service void between the timber frame and the internal wall of between 30-40mm,a plasterboard ceiling, positioned over the tops of the walls of the building;an insulation layer of minimum thickness 450mm above the ceiling;and a roof over the ceiling of the building:wherein the ground floor for the dwelling comprising:a first layer comprised of alternating concrete beams and insulation modules, wherein the layer is arranged to have insulation modules adjacent to the external walls of the building, wherein the depth of the concrete beam is greater than the depth of the insulation module; the width of the concrete beam is between 75-140mm, and the width of the insulation module is between 150-540mm, and the fist layer is positioned above a preexisting foundation for the building; with a ventilated void between the foundation and the base of the first layer of between 100-200mm; a 1200 gauge primary damp proof course over the first layer of the insulation modules and concrete beams, extending upwardly alongside the interior of the left and right side walls and front and back walls, and passing through the internal and external walls to the exterior of all of the external walls, to extend around the exterior perimeter of the building 150mm above ground level;an insulation top sheet over the primary damp proof course, with a depth between 100-200mm, wherein the insulation sheet has an upstand of between 10-50mm, at the edges of the sheet adjacent to the internal walls of the building;a cement layer having a depth between 50-100mm over the insulation layera 500 gauge vapour barrier layer over the cement layer;the building further comprising:a secondary damp proof course positioned in all of the exterior walls between layers of brick, and located above the primary damp course, 300mm above ground level with a cavity tray and weepholes above the secondary damp proof course;a further damp course located below the primary damp course, under the insulation moules of the first layer of the floor, extending around the perimeter of the building.

2. The building of claim 1, wherein the service void is 33mm.

3. The building of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the concrete beams are provided with an inset, on either side of the beam, so that the insulation module is positioned between two beams, on the opposed insets of the adjacent beams, above the base of the concrete beams.

4. The building as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inset on the concrete beam is located 4060mm from the base of the concrete beam.

5. The building as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulation module in the first layer is an expanded polystyrene block.

6. The building as claimed in claim 4 wherein the insulation module has a depth of between75 -150mm.-7. The building as claimed in claim 5 wherein the insulation module has a depth of 100 mm.

8. The building as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulation module has a length between 1950-5000 mm.

9. The building as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the concrete beam has a depth between 100-200mm.

10. The building as claimed in claim 6 wherein the concrete beam has a depth of 155mm.

11. The building as claimed in any preceding claim 1 wherein the depth of the insulation top sheet is 150mm.

12. The building as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cement layer has a depth of 75mm.

13. The building as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the upstand of the insulation sheet has a height of 25mm.

14. The building as claimed in ay preceding claim further comprising one or more interior walls, to divide the interior of the building into a plurality of walls.5 15. The building as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the building is a residentialdwelling.

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