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Thursday 18 December 2003
Thanks to:
Architectural Press for books to be reviewed.
The power behind Get Sust!
There’s plenty to report since we first met in November. Top of my list is the official opening of the UK’s first major offshore wind farm - North Hoyle, between Prestatyn and Rhyl in North Wales. The clean electricity that the 30 turbines are now producing is the power behind Get Sust! Every kW of electricity used to write this e-mail is purchased from “Juice” - a collaboration between electricity supply company npower and Greenpeace. When fully operational, the North Hoyle wind farm will generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of some 50,000 homes, offsetting the release of about 160,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
More good news for the renewable energy market: the Government has announced proposals that will enable an extra 3-million homes to switch to “green power” by 2015. This won’t be achieved by providing additional funding; instead the Government has decided to extend the “renewals obligation” (RO) which stipulates the amount of “green power” that energy suppliers in England and Wales must sell. Yearly targets up to 2011 were set when the RO was introduced in April 2002. Energy Minister Stephen Timms’ announcement on 1 December will increase this obligation to 15.4 percent by 2015-16.
A few days later, Stephen Timms was in action again, this time announcing extra funding for 16 renewable energy projects under the Department of Trade and Industry’s £20-million “Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme”. This is the sixth round of funding under the programme, which is now supporting 94 projects, ranging from solar-powered homes to the Grandstand of a new racecourse in Essex.
Yes, the Government has certainly been busy this month. On top of these renewables announcements, we have seen the passing of the Waste and Emissions Trading Act (which establishes the legislative framework for the UK’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme, and introduces what is thought to be the world’s first “waste trading scheme” - the Landfill Allowance Scheme), plus the creation of two new expert panels to tackle sustainability issues. First came the Sustainable Buildings Task Group, chaired by Sir John Harman of the Environment Agency and Victor Benjamin of English Partnerships. (This Group will focus on four topics: water, energy, construction materials and waste reduction.) Then on 15 December the names of a new Sustainable Energy Policy Advisory Panel were released. This panel, which will advise the Government and the Sustainable Energy Policy Network on the implementation of the Energy White Paper, will be chaired by Sir John Collins, former chairman of National Power and of Shell UK.
On the international scene, unfortunately, things are not quite so positive. The EU has admitted that only two member states - Sweden and the UK - are on course to meet the greenhouse gas emissions targets laid down in the Kyoto Protocol of 1997; meanwhile the US continues to stonewall, and Russia is a problem too. But as Fred Pearce reports in New Scientist, there is a way to get the world to change its ways. It’s called “contraction and convergence” and it’s all about reducing the total global output of greenhouse gases, while gradually reducing national emissions to targets based on population. It would mean cutting total global emissions from one tonne of carbon per person to 0.3 tonnes per person, but it would smooth over the political and economic cracks that are threatening to tear down the Kyoto protocol.
If all this sounds far removed from the proverbial coal-face, then take heart - sustainable buildings ARE having a measurable impact on their occupants. In November, US journal the Architectural Record announced the winners and finalists of the 2003 Business Week/Architectural Record Awards. The Herman Miller Market Place, at Zeeland, Michigan, designed by architects Integrated Design, was a finalist commended for its “sustainability with style”. Apparently, the design of this commercial facility helped to improve the performance of its workforce by around 20 percent.
Learn more:
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• | http://www.npower.com/yourhome/green/juiceandwindpower/ |
| • | The Energy White Paper, published by the Government on 24 February 2003 can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/whitepaper | |
| • | http://www.r-p-a.org.uk | |
| • | Brief details of the PV projects that will receive funding can be found in DTI press release no. P/2003/610 (12 December) entitled “New solar projects announced” at http://www.dti.gov.uk | |
| • | Further information about the PV Major Demonstration Programme is at http://www.solarpvgrants.co.uk | |
| • | The UK Emissions Trading Scheme was launched in April 2002. Proposals for the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme are currently under review. Visit http://www.defra.gov.uk for further details. | |
| • | “Greenhouse gas ‘plan B’ gaining support” by Fred Pearce can be viewed at http://www.newscientist.com/news | |
| • | Architectural Record is published by McGraw Hill Construction (see details of the winners and finalists here) |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 |  |
Top marks for INTEGER classrooms
Off-site construction and a host of sustainability features have helped to secure the 2003 Building Sights Award for two “intelligent and green” classrooms of the future.
The stand-alone classrooms, designed by architects Cole Thompson Associates with i&i limited, are at Lord Silkin School and Wrockwardine Wood Junior School, Telford. The classrooms include a conservatory space, toilets and entrance hallways so they can be used independently by community groups outside school hours.
Architects Cole Thompson Associates are lead consultants for INTEGER (the intelligent and green action research network). Since its formation in 1996, INTEGER has been very active in the development of innovation in housing, including creating the INTEGER House, which featured in a BBC TV series.
Sustainability is key to the success of the award-winning classrooms. They feature high levels of insulation, a conservatory to the south, low-energy lighting and water efficiency measures. Renewable energy is obtained from a wind turbine and photovoltaics (PVs); classrooms are naturally ventilated; and a grass “sedum” roof has been planted to improve air quality, roof protection, add insulation and slow rainwater run-off. In addition, the materials used have low embodied energy. Even the desk-tops are made from recycled yoghurt pots!
The winning buildings are part of the national “Classroom of the Future” project funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
Learn more:
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• | Read next month’s issue of Get Sust! for further details of the award-winning design. |
| • | http://www.integerproject.co.uk | |
| • | http://www.buildingsights.org.uk/news.htm |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
BREEAM for Offices 2004
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has launched an updated version of its BREEAM for Offices scheme. BREEAM - the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method - assesses buildings against a range of environmental issues and gives a score (on a scale of “pass”, “good”, “very good” and “excellent”).
Since BREEAM was launched in 1990, around 600 office buildings have been assessed. Buildings receive a BREEAM Certificate that can be used by an organisation to promote the environmental credentials of the building. This 2004 version has been produced to ensure that the scheme remains in line with current best practice, and now includes additional rewards for:
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• | using renewable energy sources |
| • | seasonal commissioning | |
| • | specifying sustainably sourced timber for both structural uses and temporary site uses | |
| • | minimising waste from floor finishes | |
| • | implementing independently verified schemes promoting considerate construction. |
Learn more:
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• | Visit the BRE website at http://www.bre.co.uk/breeam |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
WWF - working towards a million sustainable homes
Global environment network, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is doing its bit to raise the profile of sustainable housing. Last week it urged Chancellor Gordon Brown to abolish stamp duty on sustainable homes - a move that would make them “irresistible” to buyers. And earlier this month, the WWF’s One Million Sustainable Homes campaign teamed up with the House Builders Federation (HBF) to launch a new housing sustainability award.
While the scheme in itself will reward the best examples of sustainable housing, an underlying aim is to raise the public’s awareness of the social and economic benefits of sustainable housing, so that people will begin to demand more from their new homes.
Contestants must have already attained at least “very good” under the BRE Eco-homes assessment scheme (the domestic version of BREEAM, see above). But this award scheme looks beyond the design and construction of the new homes to the lifestyles of the occupants, and covers:
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• | energy efficiency and use of renewable energy |
| • | ecological value of the land - how development has protected and/or enhanced biodiversity | |
| • | minimisation of waste - resulting from both construction and the lifestyles of residents | |
| • | water efficiency and recycling, sustainable urban drainage | |
| • | sustainability of sourced construction materials and the use of low environmental impact materials | |
| • | airborne pollution levels and use of toxic chemicals | |
| • | the health and wellbeing of residents - including levels of light and private space in finished dwellings |
In addition, where possible, the judges will also look at:
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• | environmentally friendly transport options and facilities |
| • | the availability and proximity of public amenities and other features associated with nurturing sustainable communities. |
The first developments to be awarded will be announced at the “Greenleaf” awards ceremony in May 2004.
Learn more:
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• | http://www.wwf-uk.org/sustainablehomes/index.asp |
| • | http://www.hbf.co.uk |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Get the low-down on low-energy buildings
Buildings could be 30 percent more efficient without the need for sophisticated new technology, say Andrew Thorne and James Fisher of BRE’s Energy Division. Writing in the November/December issue of Energy in Buildings and Industry, they dispel the myth that complex technology is the only way to save energy.
They say that energy consumption in buildings accounts for some 80 million kWh each year in the UK. And this consumption is the cause of around half of the UK’s total emissions of greenhouse gases. There is a tendency to think that technology will be the way to cut these emissions, but in fact most new “low energy” buildings turn instead to “old” design techniques:
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• | use of thermal mass to moderate fluctuations in space temperature |
| • | natural ventilation or, if mechanical ventilation is necessary in specific areas, mixed-mode strategies | |
| • | daylighting. |
While there is clearly great potential for energy from renewable sources, Messrs Thorne and Fisher suggest that the most sustainable route is to minimise building services first, then think about renewables. They also point out that automatic controls have a significant role to play in reducing energy usage, but it is essential for these to be easy for users to understand and operate.
Finally, but most important of all, they stress the need for design teams to work together from the outset, to ensure that they make the most of opportunities to include low-energy and sustainable solutions.
Learn more:
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• | Read the full article, “Current thinking on... Low energy building design for the future” by Andrew Thorne and James Fisher in Energy in Buildings and Industry, November/December 2003, pp21-24. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Designers are looking up in the US
Could grass roofs transform American cities? A report in one local US newspaper suggests that they could.
Many US cities suffer from the “heat island effect”, where reflected heat from traditional roofs combines with vehicle and general building emissions to raise urban temperatures. According to Scott Barker, writing in the Knoxville News Sentinel, the problem is so noticeable in some areas that scientists have linked urban heat to thunderstorms in neighbouring counties.
He reports that some US-based architects are turning rooftops green in an attempt to minimise the effect, and the results seem impressive. Apparently the City Hall in Chicago has reduced its energy bills by some 3600 US Dollars a year since 2001 when it installed a huge rooftop garden. But the garden only covers half the building; and temperatures on the un-covered half can soar to 140degrees F - 50degrees higher than in the garden.
Other benefits of green roofs include visual amenity for local residents and reducing storm-water run-off.
Two architects in Knoxville (Tennessee) are hoping to turn their town “cool” by installing rooftop gardens on a number of public buildings. The main challenge will be to ensure that the buildings will be able to cope with the combined weight of the plants and soil. Watch this space!
Learn more:
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• | Read the full article “Rooftop gardens would beautify, cool inner city” by Scott Barker at http://www.knoxnews.com |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Get to grips with air-tightness
Designers need to get to grips with the problem of air-tightness in new buildings, say experts at the Building Research Establishment.
Since the end of September 2003, new commercial and public buildings over 1000m2 must be tested for airtightness and should not exceed 10m3 per hour per m2 (at 50 Pascals) across the extended envelope if they are to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations Part L2.
The authors of an article in the BRE’s newsletter Constructing The Future, say that the best time to tackle air-tightness is at the concept stage. Designers need to pay particular attention to air barriers, ensuring that they are long-lasting, and accessible for maintenance.
The article lists the surfaces that must be sealed, and discusses the implications of poor airtightness for energy efficiency.
Learn more:
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• | Download Constructing The Future, Summer 2003, Issue 17 from http://www.bre.co.uk. (See “Unravelling airtightness”, pp11-12.) |
| • | See also http://www.bre.co.uk/airtightness/ |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Beanz meanz... roofs?
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a polymer resin material made of soya bean oil that could be used as a recyclable roofing material.
This is one of three innovative construction materials highlighted in a feature article in this month’s Architectural Record magazine. The magazine reports that a research team in the Affordable Composite from Renewable Sources (ACRES) Group have used the resin in combination with various fibres - flax, recycled paper and even chicken feathers - to create a composite roofing material that incorporates an outer weather-proof layer. They then commissioned an industrial designer to come up with a prototype house with a low-profile moulded roof. The next step - to build a demonstration house - is already in progress, and the team suggest that the new material could be commercially viable within three years.
Another material making good progress recently is “aerogel”, which was actually invented in 1931. A Boston-based materials company, Cabot Corporation, has made Nanogel, a proprietary version of this highly porous yet semi-transparent solid, and incorporated it into composite structural panels that boast a U-value of only 0.05, while at the same time offering 20 percent light transmission. On top of that, Cabot says the material is completely recyclable. The material has been tested on two full-scale applications in the US.
Learn more:
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• | Read the full article, “Architects slowly begin to expand the traditional palette of materials” by Nancy B Solomon in the November 2003 issue of Architectural Record, pp195-202 (view on-line at http://www.architecturalrecord.com) |
| • | Visit the ACRES website at http://www.ccm.udel.edu/research/acres/ | |
| • | Read news about Nanogel development in Europe at http://www.cabot-corp.com (see “Cabot Corporation and GE Plastics Plan To Develop Lexan® Thermoclear® Sheet with Nanogel® Translucent Aerogel”) |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Low carbon innovators rewarded
Sheep’s wool insulation, fuel cells for use in the home, an energy-saving air-conditioning system, and a whole-house solar energy system are on the list of nine innovations judged to be the best of British in this year’s Carbon Trust Innovation Awards, presented in November.
The overall winner was Ceres Power Ltd, which has developed a highly efficient hydrocarbon-powered fuel cell that can be used in the home or as a replacement for lead-acid batteries. The University of Oxford Chemistry Department (category winner) and Cambridge University’s department of Chemical Engineering were also praised for their work on fuel cells and biodiesel respectively.
Another finalist in the academic/R&D category was Loughborough University which, together with its partner Weatherite Manufacturing Ltd, has developed an air-conditioning system which they claim uses only half the energy needed by traditional systems.
Finalist Second Nature UK Ltd was nominated for its “Thermafleece” insulation material which uses wool from British hill sheep. This material is highly insulating, has low embodied energy and is recyclable. And Nuaire Group of Caerphilly was honoured for its “Sunwarm” solar energy system that combines solar-powered warm air space heating, hot water, air cooling and whole-house ventilation.
Learn more:
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• | Details of the awards and finalists are at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/carbontrust/ |
| • | http://www.cerespower.com | |
| • | http://www.secondnatureuk.com | |
| • | http://www.weatherite-group.com | |
| • | http://www.nuaire.co.uk and http://www.sunwarm.com |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Places of the Soul
by Christopher Day, second edition, published by Architectural Press
If this book was set to music, it would be an “ultimate chill-out” album. From start to finish Christopher Day’s seminal work “Places of the Soul” is a haven of tranquillity, warmth and rationality. First written in 1988, but now thoroughly revised, his flowing style and inviting, curvaceous line illustrations quickly begin to caress your soul to such a degree that you feel you’ll never draw a straight line again!
Who could not be influenced by these appealing, organic forms that appear to grow from their surroundings? And who would have thought that the humble rectangle could be such a force for evil? (Day’s thesis on the power of geometry, tracing the rise of the rectilinear tradition back to the Romans’ need to bring order out of chaos, provokes you take a second look at our modern cities.)
Day has brought his more recent urban design experience to bear on this revised edition, and gives numerous examples of successful, sustainable urban architecture that increases dwelling density while giving plenty of room to play and relax. He notes that in the decade since the first edition, the world is faster, more demanding, less secure and more competitive. Stress is all around us. But there is another way.
As the author says: “today’s thoughts make the world tomorrow”. So tune in, chill out, and have sweet dreams...
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• | Win a copy of Christopher Day’s seminal work “Places of the Soul” - see Get Sust! issue no. 3 for details. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Urban design: Method and techniques
by Cliff Moughtin with Rafael Cuesta, Christine Sarris and Paola Signoretta
Cliff Moughtin was Professor of Planning at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Nottingham, and is the author of a series of books on “Urban design” published by the Architectural Press.
First published in 1999, this second edition of “Method and techniques” has sustainability and environmental protection at the heart of its philosophy. This edition follows up on the many political developments in the field of sustainability - the work of the Urban Task Force, and the Planning Green Paper of 2002 in particular. It now incorporates sections on regeneration, the role of computers and geographical information systems (GIS) in design, and environmental impact assessment.
The book takes the reader through the urban design process - defining requirements, debating these with the client, techniques for new ways to solve problems, and the various ways to present ideas and manage the project. It is well illustrated and used examples and case studies throughout.
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• | WIN a copy of this book in Get Sust! issue no. 3 next month... plus read a review of another title in the Urban Design series: Street and Square |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
The Environment in your Pocket
DEFRA
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a handy guide to key trends and other statistics on the environment. It’s a great resource with a mine of useful facts and figures, from the volume of waste collected by UK local authorities to data on the rise in road traffic-related pollution. In total, it includes more than 50 key data series covering: the global atmosphere, air quality, inland water quality and use, coastal and marine waters, radioactivity, noise, waste and recycling, land use and land cover, and wildlife. It also has some general background information, including analyses of linkages between indicators on the economy, transport, energy use, and emissions of pollutants and agricultural productivity and the environment.
This is the seventh annual edition of “vital environmental statistics”. Even better - it’s FREE. The booklet is available in pocket-sized or A4 versions, or on-line at http://www.defra.gov.uk (where it will be updated periodically).
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• | Order your copy of “The Environment in your Pocket” E-mail: defra@iforcegroup.com Tel: 08459 556000. |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Guide B4 Refrigeration and Heat Rejection
CIBSE Guides
This new Guide from the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers will be useful to anyone involved in designing, selecting or specifying refrigeration plant for building services applications. Among other things, it covers: low energy cooling techniques, alternatives to CFC and HCFC refrigerants, and guidance on meeting Building Regulations Approved Document L2 and the EU directive on building energy performance.
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• | Order on-line at http://www.cibse.org Details: ISBN 1903287197; 68pp; £45.00 (CIBSE members) and £90 (non-members) |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Constructing for sustainability as well as for profit
Construction Industry Council
A new guide from the Construction Industry Council aims to help clients and the professionals who advise them understand the issues behind sustainable construction. It discusses ways to adopt sustainability principles on any project - from inception to demolition.
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• | To purchase a copy (price £12.50 + P&P), download an order form at http://www.cic.org.uk |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Is construction getting more sustainable?
Not according to the Sustainable Construction Task Group’s latest report, which concludes that most construction industry companies remain ignorant of the benefits that sustainable practices can bring.
The report reveals widespread confusion across the industry as to what sustainability really means. It analyses the achievements of the past three years, highlighting areas where most progress has been made and setting out a challenging agenda for the future.
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• | The report is available from the Sustainable Construction page of the BRE website (click on the last bullet point). |
| © Melanie Thompson 2003 | |
Virtuous circles: affordable buildings
Finalists’ submissions for the Ecohouse Student Design Competition will be on show at the RIBA, 66 Portland Place London from 14-30 January 2004, and the exhibition is accompanied by a lecture series - on 13, 22 and 29; 6.00-9.30 pm at the Jarvis Hall at the RIBA
The talks will cover all aspects of low-energy and sustainable housing, from planning problems to post-occupancy evaluation.
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• | Entry to the exhibition is free. Tickets for talks (£7 full-price or £4, concessions) are available on the day, but booking is advisable. Tel: 020 7307 3699. E-mail: gallery@inst.riba.org |
| • | See Get Sust! issue no. 3 (next month) for a review of the winners and brief details of the talks. |
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Closing the Loop - Post Occupancy Evaluation: The Next Steps
A number of subsidised student places are available for this international conference, which runs from 2 April to 2 May 2004, at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor.
This is the first international conference dedicated to post-occupancy evaluation, and it will feature presentations and discussions with experts from around the world on topics ranging from thermal comfort and productivity to implications for building design professionals.
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• | Students who wish to attend should send a letter to: Tia@brookes.ac.uk to apply for a student place on the conference. (Where possible students are asked to try and take up a day rate place and stay with local friends, but if this is not possible some subsidised residential places are available, on a first come first served basis.) |
| • | For more information, contact Susan Roaf, Oxford Centre for Sustainable Development, Oxford Brookes University. E-Mail: windsor@brookes.ac.uk |
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Resource04 - renewables and energy-efficiency exhibition
This four-day exhibition of renewable and innovative energy efficiency technologies for buildings will be held at BRE, Watford on 7-10 June 2004. The aim is to raise the awareness of the environmentally friendly technologies that can help to cut energy consumption and combat global warming.
The exhibition will be accompanied by daily seminars on a range of themes, including building integrated renewable technologies for housing, urban and rural communities, and non-domestic buildings. It will also look at a number of case studies.
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• | Contact the event organiser for further information. E-mail: resource04@bre.co.uk |
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The Eden Scholarship
Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, Arup Foundation, Anthony Hunt Associates, Davis Langdon & Everest and the Eden Project have founded a new scholarship at the AA Graduate School, called the Eden Scholarship.
The Eden Scholarship will be worth £7,500 per year for five years and will be awarded to an MA student from the UK researching into sustainable environmental design. Final deadline for submissions is 30 April 2004. Start date for the scholarship is late Sept 2004
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• | Contact Nicky Wynne. Tel: 020 7887 4090. E-mail: development1@aaschool.ac.uk |
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Hurry to join the “Energy revolution”: Solutions for Sustainable Urban Communities
You have just four weeks to finalise your submissions to the “Solutions for Sustainable Urban Communities” Open Design Competition based on a 2.2 hectare brownfield site on the edge of Manchester’s city centre. The competition is organised by INREB (Integration of New and Renewable Energy in Buildings) and URBED (The Urban & Economic Development Group) with the support of CIS (Co-operative Insurance Society).
The competition seeks ideas only, and the objective for competitors is to design a mixed-use scheme which is sustainable in its use of energy, urban in character and which promotes co-operative lifestyles. The competition is open to architects and students of architecture throughout the world. Integrated multi-disciplinary teams are encouraged to enter.
Submissions must be received by 16 January 2004. Student awards include a £1500 first prize.
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• | Student registration fee is £7.50 (incl. VAT). Full details from the RIBA Competitions Office. Tel: 0113 234 1335. E-mail: riba.competitions@mail.riba.org |
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INREB Faraday Associates (PhD Studentships)
The INREB Faraday Partnership, a national focus for research, technology transfer and training in the integration of new and renewable energy in buildings, appointed 12 Faraday Associates between 2001 and 2003. The Partnership has recently appointed a further three Associates to undertake PhD studentships, but additional places may become available.
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• | Keep your eye on the INREB website at http://www.inreb.org, or send an expression of interest to Sarah Greenwood of INREB. E-mail: greenwoods@bre.co.uk |
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