September 29, 2009
For some time we have been debating in the office about Code for Sustainable Homes and Passivhaus, we feel strongly that the Code tends to receive breaks in terms of government backing where Passivhaus is forgotten about to a large degree. As a result we felt it pertinent to create a petition to try to help rectify this imbalance. Rather than saying one solution should be in place of the other. Lets be reasonable and use both when each is appropriate.
Please let us know your thoughts and sign up to the petition below.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Passivhaus-S-D/
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Allow stamp duty exemption on passivhaus certified buildings.
Recently the government allowed an exemption for stamp duty on homes which meet the Code for Sustainable Homes level 6. This is a positive move to encourage growth in low carbon buildings, however, the UK is currently experiencing a huge growth in interest of passivhaus buildings. The passivhaus system and CSH are not directly comparable as they use different technology to analyse performance, however it is clear that the passivhaus system has created more low carbon buildings worldwide than the CSH. CSH is currently being re-written to become more like passivhaus, this recognition should be shown in a relief of stamp duty for passivhaus certified buildings.
September 16, 2009
Today we undertook an air test at one of our currently projects, Albion Hill.
Equipment used for the air test
The purpose of this test is to ensure that a certain level of air tightness in order to obtain a certain ecohomes assessment rating which is part of the SAPs report. The test allows us to identify weaknesses with the structure on site.
Firstly the building has to be fully sealed, with all trickle vents and any ducts to the outside taped up and sealed creating a fully sealed building envelope. Once this has occurred one door or window is opened, this is where the test will be carried out. Within this door frame a large fan is placed and sealed in place.
Jo on site looking for defects
The building is now depressurized to create a pressure differential which will mean that air will penetrate any defects in the building fabric. Once the depressurization has finished you will be able to go around the building looking for defects. This can be done in many different way s.
For this we went around feeling ever window and door frame, every duct and even the spot lights for any defects in the construction. Once we had identified the problem areas a reading can be given. For this reading to be accurate we have to provide the floor areas and volumes for the building.
We initially target a figure of 5m3/m2/h as part of our ecohomes assessment within the SAPs rating report, however, the building actually achieved a figure of 4m3/m2/h and with the advise that with some minor changes we could actually achieve a figure of 3m3/m2/h which would be a fantastic achievement.
Paul Jenning checking his readings
The air test was carried out on our behalf by Paul Jennings.
August 5, 2009
We are very pleased to hear that we have achieved planning permission for a low carbon sports pavilion in Adastra Park, Hassocks. The building is going to be simple but robust construction with very high levels of insulation and air tightness. We are currently approaching the funding bodies for finance of renewable energy’s in solar thermal and photovoltaic’s, to be used in conjunction with a low level usage air source heat pump to keep the building topped up during the winter months. The buildings simplistic design ensures it will be highly efficient and the sweeping roof form makes a striking reference to the sporting context of the site.
We are very pleased to hear that we have achieved planning permission for a low carbon sports pavilion in Adastra Park, Hassocks. The building is going to be simple but robust construction with very high levels of insulation and air tightness. We are currently approaching the funding bodies for finance of renewable energy’s in solar thermal and photovoltaic’s, to be used in conjunction with a low level usage air source heat pump to keep the building topped up during the winter months. The buildings simplistic design ensures it will be highly efficient and the sweeping roof form makes a striking reference to the sporting context of the site.
July 27, 2009
Sussex company flushed with success
9:00pm Sunday 26th July 2009
A Sussex company is feeling flushed with success after its new eco loos won a top design award.
The loos, dubbed the greenest in Sussex, were designed by a Bolney-based business.
Bosses at Mid Sussex District Council were bowled over by the sustainable toilets at the South of England Centre, Ardingly.
The council has given architects Ecotecture one of its coveted sustainability awards for its work on the project at the agricultural showground near Haywards Heath.
It is designed to look like a giant seed pod to fit into its rural setting and its waterless urinals help conserve water.
The toilet block harvests rainwater from the roof which is heated with solar panels and stored in a super-insulated tank.
The block’s air vents are controlled by the heat of the sun and sheep’s wool is used to help insulate the building.
Jake White, of Ecotecture, said: “The result is the greenest and most environmentally-conscious we could achieve without costing any more than a non-green version.”
July 14, 2009
We are pleased to see that an independent voice in construction and building design industry has stepped up and confronted the government on there green building policies. Grand Designs and Kevin McCloud are fronting the Great British Refurb, a campaign to enable the public to feasibly refurbish there own properties without becoming a green building financial martyr.
This has come at a time when the latest revision to the building regulations have made the decision to exclude mandatory improvements to whole households, when carrying out minor works such as extensions and loft conversions. This may make far more sense in the long run, all stick and no carrot is not the approach to improve our buildings stock.
All members of the Ecotecture team have signed up to the petition on the GBR website and we would encourage you to do so too. Lets change the way we look at building from the top down! See the link below:-
www.greatbritishrefurb.com
July 1, 2009
Thank you for visiting our blog page for ecotecture.co.uk. Over the coming months and years we will be blogging our work lives showing how we work as a team, our design styles, exploration of new systems, materials & low carbon building strategies. Its quite easy to forget how far you have come or how much knowledge you have gained, we blog, as a reference to look back on personal development and more importantly; we are keen to share our knowledge of green building with everyone who is interested! We feel confident that this resource will become invaluable over time, so please do feel free to subscribe to our RSS feed. This will deliver our blogs to your desktop as and when we publish them.
Once again thank you for visiting, we hope you enjoy interacting with us through this fantastic tool set.
Regards, The Ecotecture Team.
