AN OVERVIEW OF SUSTAINABLE HOUSING DESIGN

1. AN OVERVIEW OF SUSTAINABLE HOUSING DESIGN Dr Barbara Swann MA. MSc. Dip.Arch Retired Architect and Energy Consultant House under construction from straw bales Speculative Office Building Doxford, Northumberland clad in photo-voltaic cells

2. Sustainable development- what does it mean? World commission on environment and development 1987: Our Common Future Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs Sir Crispin Tickell (British diplomat, environmentalist, and academic): Treating the world as if we intended to stay CIB (International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction): Sustainable construction is the creation and responsible management of a healthy built environment based on resource efficient and ecological principles. Tom Woolley (Professor at the Graduate School of the Environment at the Centre for Alternative Technology) : Getting a hell of a lot more from a hell of a lot less

3. DEPENDENCY ON FOSSIL FUELS finite resources 1970s oil crisis electricity shortages CLIMATE acid rain holes in the ozone layer global warming - greenhouse effect WATER water shortages flooding pollution of rivers pollution of the sea and beaches AIR QUALITY outdoor and indoor TRANSPORT traffic related air-pollution traffic congestion LAND USE land contamination land-fill sites soil erosion landslides HEALTH work related diseases pollution related illnesses BIO-DIVERSITY rainforest destruction SHARING WORLD RESOURCES Why do we need sustainability in the building industry ?

4. Sustainability and the Building Design Process CHOICE OF SITE Can existing facilities be adapted ? Brownfield site Site location, close to local facilities, public transport Site planning, orientation, shelter, building form, views On-site storage of rainwater On-site energy production On-site treatment of foul water

5. Sustainability and the Building Design Process BUILDING FORM Compact Form Orientation Inclusive design Thermally lightweight construction Thermally heavyweight construction Prefabrication Air tightness and breathability Window size: daylight, heat loss, heat gain Roof pitch and finish Design for deconstruction

6. Sustainability and the Design Process BUILDING MATERIALS Materials of low embodied energy Materials of low environmental impact Water used during construction CFC free insulation Recycled and / or recyclable materials Timber from renewable sources -FSC Materials from local suppliers Avoidance of PVC based materials Avoidance of materials containing formaldehyde, VOCs, (Volatile Organic Compounds) etc Earth Balance Centre Bedlington

7. Sustainability and the Design Process MINIMISING ENERGY USED FOR HEATING High insulation levels Air tight design and construction Double glazing with low emissivity (lowE) coating, argon filled Condensing boilers Appropriate controls Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery OTHER ENERGY SAVING MEASURES Combined heat and power plant (CHP) Separate metering of fuel usage

8. Sustainability and the Design Process REDUCING ENERGY LOST THROUGH LEAKAGE AND VENTILATION Airtight construction High level of of draughtproofing Controlled extract and air supply with heat recovery Good cross ventilation for night time cooling MINIMISING ENERGY USE FOR LIGHTING Adequate daylighting, avoiding glare and overheating Low energy / high efficiency fittings External lighting controlled by daylight or movement sensors

9. Sustainability and the Design Process REDUCING WATER USAGE Collecting rainwater from roofs Collecting 'grey-water' from basins, baths, showers Spray taps Dual flush / smaller WC cisterns REDUCING SURFACE AND FOUL DRAINAGE Collection of surface water, as above Porous paving systems, slow release systems On-site treatment of effluent in reed beds or gravel pits Composting toilets

11. Alternative sources of heat Solar panels - producing hot water Groundsource heat pumps Airsource heat pumps Geothermal processes Biomass

12. Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources Photo-voltaic panels Wind generators Combined heat and power Small scale hydro-electricity generators Tidal and wave power National Energy Foundation Milton Keynes

13. Sustainability and the Construction Process Careful installation of insulation Air-tight construction and testing Control noise and air and water pollution Use Forest Stewardship Council, FSC, approved timber Reduce site wastage - separate skips for timber, metal and other waste Subcontractors responsible for removing their packaging and waste materials REFURBISHMENT Opportunity to upgrade to more efficient plant and materials Recycling of redundant materials DEMOLITION Materials recycling

14. Sustainability in the Construction Industry UK BUILDING REGULATIONS Part A – Structure Part C - Site Preparation And Resistance To Moisture Part D - Toxic Substances Part E - Sound Insulation Part F – Ventilation Part G – Hygiene Part H - Drainage and Waste Disposal Part J - Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power  Part M - Disabled Access To And Use Of Buildings Part P - Electrical Safety

15. UK Energy and Environmental Ratings Code for Sustainable Homes Design categories included within the Code are: ● ENERGY/CO2 ● WATER ● MATERIALS ● SURFACE WATER RUN-OFF ● WASTE ● POLLUTION ● HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ● MANAGEMENT ● ECOLOGY Ratings from 1 – 6 stars NHER RATING (NATIONAL HOME ENERGY RATING) SCALE 1-20 Bournville Village Trust Couch Perry Wilkes and Kier - Lower Shenley, Birmingham

16. Sustainability in the Construction Industry PASSIVE HOUSE DESIGN Passivhaus The building must be designed to have an annual heating demand of not more than 15kWh/m2 per year in heating and 15kWh/m2 per year cooling energy or to be designed with a peak heat load of 10W/m2. Total primary energy consumption for heating, hot water and electricity must not be more than 12kWh/m2. per year. Construction must be airtight

17. Eco Housing at Oxley Woods, Milton Keynes A RARE EXAMPLE OF LARGE SCALE SPECULATIVE DEVELOPMENT Prefabricated insulated timber paneled structure Resin bonded woodfibre cladding Large airtight windows Ventilation doors / fire escapes Flush thresholds and wide doors for wheelchair access Eco-hat on roof

18. Oxley Woods Eco Housing Achieves BREAM Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 NHER (National Home Energy Rating) 10 Recycled paper insulation in the walls High efficiency insulation in roofs and floors Double glazed, argon filled windows Rooflight over staircase Insulated external doors Air-tight construction - no draughts Inclusive design Surface Water drainage to water butt, swales and ponds

19. Oxley Woods Eco Housing Condensing boiler Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) Whole house ventilation system incorporating solar heating Dual flush toilet cisterns Low water usage taps and shower head Water butt Low energy light fittings Glass and laminate splashbacks Energy efficient white goods Very little water used during the building process

21. Highly Glazed Spaces Such as conservatories and garden rooms Very pleasant well lit environment but limited use due to extremes of temperature Need careful design and the incorporation of blinds (preferably external) and high and low level ventilation to reduce high temperatures without the need for air conditioning Some solid walls and roof with roof lights inserted will also reduce excessive solar gain and will help to maintain comfortable temperatures without the need for a heating system

22. USEFUL WEBSITES www.theparkstrust.com 23rd June 2012 The Little Green Fair, Howe Park Wood, New Passive House www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/code_for_sust_homes.pdf www.environment-agency.gov.uk - collection and storage of rainwater and greywater www.greenspec.co.uk www.bre.co.uk/greenguide The Green Guide to Building www.greenworks.co.uk including ‘ The Sustainable Building Guide’ www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk/