The Pump House, South Downs: Award-Winning Self-Build Showcases the Design Flexibility of Nudura ICF
The Pump House, South Downs Case Study
Award-Winning Self-Build Showcases the Design Flexibility of Nudura ICF
Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) played a key role in the construction of The Pump House, an award-winning self-build home located within the South Downs National Park. The project demonstrates how Nudura’s innovative ICF technology can overcome complex architectural challenges while delivering exceptional structural performance, airtightness and energy efficiency. This project was supported by our distributor ICF Supplies LTD.
The Project
Situated on the site of a former water authority pumping station, The Pump House is a striking 380m² contemporary home defined by its sweeping crescent-shaped layout, curved walls and dramatic roofline. Designed as a forever home, the project combines ambitious architecture with a strong focus on sustainability, achieving outstanding thermal performance and low operational energy use.
The home's unique geometry presented a series of construction challenges that would have been difficult to achieve using traditional masonry techniques. The design required a building system capable of accommodating complex curves while providing the structural strength, insulation and airtightness needed to create a high-performing building envelope.
Having extensively researched modern methods of construction, the project team selected Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms as the primary structural system due to their proven ability to deliver both design flexibility and exceptional energy performance.
The Solution
Nudura ‘s Insulated Concrete Form system provided the ideal solution for bringing the architect's vision to life supplying Nudura to our distributor ICF Supplies LTD.
Constructed using expanded polystyrene forms connected by a patented web system, the forms were stacked on site, reinforced with steel and filled with concrete to create a continuous insulated structural wall. This approach enabled the construction team to create the home's distinctive curved walls while delivering outstanding structural integrity, thermal performance and airtightness.
The continuous insulation provided by the ICF system significantly reduced thermal bridging and formed the foundation of the home's highly efficient building envelope. Combined with high-performance glazing, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, an air source heat pump and renewable energy technologies, the completed property achieves an EPC A rating and an impressive SAP score of 121.
The Application
The Pump House highlights the versatility of Nudura ICF for complex residential construction.
The system enabled the construction team to form the home's sweeping curved walls with precision while providing a robust reinforced concrete structure capable of supporting the unique architectural design. Its high levels of insulation and airtightness contribute to comfortable internal temperatures throughout the year, reducing reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
In addition to its thermal performance, the project incorporates a range of sustainable features, including a green roof, rainwater harvesting system, solar PV panels with battery storage and extensive biodiversity planting. Together with the Nudura building envelope, these measures create a home that exceeds Passivhaus energy targets while providing long-term durability and occupant comfort.
The Result
Completed in 2023, The Pump House has become an outstanding example of how
Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms can help deliver architecturally ambitious, energy-efficient homes.
By combining structural strength, exceptional thermal performance and the flexibility to create complex building forms, Nudura enabled the project team to realise a challenging design without compromising on build quality or sustainability. Today, the home stands as a showcase of modern ICF construction, demonstrating how Nudura continues to support the delivery of high-performance residential buildings across the UK. This also withstands our relationship with our distributor ICF Supplies LTD.
Contact hello@tremcopg.com for more information on projects like this.
