Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, through its brands British Gypsum and Isover, has launched episode five of its Building Better video series – spotlighting cutting-edge research at Energy House 1, a full-scale testing facility led by the University of Salford.
In this episode, Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Labs, reveals how the UK’s only fully climate-controllable Victorian end-terrace home is helping revolutionise the way we design, build, and retrofit homes for a more sustainable future.
British Gypsum and Isover were among the first collaborators to engage with the project, delivering the first full-house retrofit within Energy House 1 to assess the performance of their internal and external materials under tightly controlled conditions.
“Energy House 1 offers a unique opportunity to understand the real-world performance of innovative materials in a repeatable, scientifically rigorous way,” said Professor Will Swan. “By working with partners such as British Gypsum and Isover, we’re able to explore how future homes can deliver energy efficiency, comfort and resilience at scale.”
Built within a sealed environmental chamber, Energy House 1 can replicate a wide range of weather conditions – from snow and solar to temperatures ranging from -13°C to 30°C – enabling accurate, repeatable testing that accelerates innovation and reduces real-world risk. The research spans everything from whole-house retrofits to heating systems, and even small interventions such as carpets and curtains.
Orla Whelan, Customer Solutions and Portfolio Development Director at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions said: “The insights being generated at Energy House 1 are helping us to understand the real impact of our products under external pressures that reflect our changing climate,”
“This kind of testing is vital if we are to design buildings that not only meet regulatory targets, but also truly support the people who live in them.”
By showcasing the transformational research taking place at the University of Salford, the episode reinforces Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions’ commitment to helping people live low-carbon lives through high-performance building solutions.
Hosted by renowned architectural designer and television personality Charlie Luxton, Building Better delivers inspirational and thought-provoking content through weekly episodes, available on YouTube and via the Building Better Hub.
To watch the full episode and explore more on how we’re building a better tomorrow, visit: www.saint-gobain.co.uk/building-better-hub. Or watch the episode directly on the Building Better YouTube Channel and hit subscribe to stay updated
