Ecological

Ecotecture Limited aims to provide sustainable designs, specialist energy efficient advice and Ecohomes assessment where possible (and if required) based on site-specific analysis of individual projects. Listed below are the main concepts of sustainable design.

Site Orientation

This is the first consideration for a sustainable design. Buildings respond to their site and orientation and therefore we aim to utilise natural energy (e.g. solar gain and prevailing wind). Buildings should also react to local topography with the location of the building having considerable ramifications with regards transport, distance to local amenities and employment. The ideal scenario for this being a live/work unit.

Passive Solar Gain

Solar radiation is utilised with large glazing or conservatories on southerly elevations. Low emissivity glass can be used to allow heat from the sun into the dwelling but also prevent heat loss escaping. Control Solar Gain Glare with external shading devices, films and blinds.

Natural Ventilation

There are four main methods of naturally ventilating a building:

  • Passive stack ventilation – This relies on the natural buoyancy of air and can be put to great effect by introducing additional warmth through solar gain.

  • Cross Ventilation/Wind Extraction/Wind Collectors – All rely on site location and orientation. External weather conditions push and pull air from within a building and this is used to maximum effect by positioning apertures relative to external topography.

Daylighting

Daylighting design minimises energy use through maximising the penetration of natural light through a building. A good rule of thumb is no part of a room should be more than 5–6m from any window. Natural daylight contributes to the health and wellbeing of inhabitants.

Thermal Mass

This can help to regulate a building's internal temperature without excessive energy usage. By absorbing heat during the hottest part of the day and radiating heat during the cool evening the delayed effect results in a slow heat transmission through a high density material e.g. brick or block.

Insulation

This is the cornerstone of energy efficiency as buildings throughout the United Kingdom are heated for eight months of the year.

  • Insulation made from renewable/recycled material e.g. recycled newspaper, hemp, straw
  • Insulation made from oil based product e.g. expanded polyurethane
  • Insulation made from glass, which can be recycled e.g. mineral wool

All of the above help reduce energy uses. Insulation from renewable resources can however provide a more sustainable solution.

Water Conservation

This comes in many forms:

  • Rainwater recycling can be low-tech solutions such as water butts through to high tech solutions serving internal appliances.

  • Greywater recycling is the use of water from hand basins, showers, baths and sinks. The water undergoes filtration through means of mulch, soil microbes and grease traps and can be used again for serving appliances or irrigation.

  • On a personal level water consumption can be reduced by switching the tap off whilst brushing teeth and taking short showers in preference to baths. (The Environment Agency provides good advice regarding minimising your water usage).

Renewable Energy (R.E.)

Energy that is generated with little or no environmental impact is achieved by harvesting energy from renewable sources (e.g. solar power, wind, water or wood burning stoves). Micro-generation is the most popular recent development within renewable energy whereby individuals are able to generate their own energy.

Materials

Timber, tiles, bricks and hardcore should be re-used wherever possible. One of the best methods of waste management is to avoid hiring a skip. Materials that may have been considered waste can quite often be given a new lease of life.

Where new materials are required its embodied energy is to be taken into account. This is calculated through the impact to the environment during harvesting, manufacture, transportation and installation. Aim to use materials that come from accredited renewable sources, preferably sourced locally.

Energy Conservation

During the design process, consideration must be given to provision of light and heating. 40% of our CO2 emissions are from energy used in buildings. Install ‘A’ rated appliances, low energy light bulbs and ensure your boiler is accurately sized. Occupant behaviour and awareness of energy use is vital in reducing consumption of natural resources.