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7/31/2019 Finished Research Project
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1Rebecca Cook-Griffiths Word Count 6,333
6010
LITERATURE
REVIEW
LJMU
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES TO MINIMIZE ENERGY USE AND
PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE LIVING ARISES THROUGH THE
REDEVELOPMENT OF A VICTORIAN TERRACED STREET.
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1) Introduction
1.1) How housing is effecting the UK
2) The concept of energy efficient, sustainable lifestyle
2.1) Building for a sustainable community
3) Introducing the Welsh Streets
3.1) Demolition or Refurbishment?
4) The Design process
4.1) Construction
4.2) Community systems
4.3) Further measures
5) Conclusion
6) Appendix
6.1) Welsh Streets Renovation
6.2) Living in the Welsh Streets
7) References
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Sustainable lifestyles are patterns of action and consumption, used
by people to affiliate and differentiate themselves from others, which;
meet basic needs, provide a better quality of life, minimise the use of
natural resources and emissions of waste and pollutants over the
lifecycle, and do not jeopardise the needs of future generations.
(CSD, 2004)
Energy consumption is a central topic in the quest for sustainability.
The burning of fossil fuels to heat, light and ventilate buildings is
responsible for half of all energy use worldwide (Edwards, 2005.) In
the UK, the main sources of CO2 emissions are;
Heating lighting and ventilation Building construction Transportation Industry, agriculture
(DirectGov, n.d)
Fig 1-Structure of total greenhouse gas emissions (EEA, 2007)
Figure 1 shows that the production of electricity and heat produces
the largest amount of CO2 emissions. It is estimated that from 2000
to 2050 the human race will have 4 times the environmental impact
on the planet (Edwards, 2005) consequently this will lead to a higher
demand on resources, a greater impact on the environment and an
increase in fuel prices. The WWFs Living Planet Report (2004)
confirms that humanity is consuming over 20% more natural
resources than the earth can regenerate, this suggests that the
human race has been in ecological overshoot with an annual
demand on resources exceeding that which the earth can restore
each year. Action by Architects and designers is essential to meet
the challenge of satisfying rising energy expectations and encourage
the use of renewable energy as opposed to oil and gas. The
promotion of using renewable energy presents a solution which does
not damage human health, impose on the environment or threaten
our natural systems.
Addressing these issues can be achieved by the use of more
intelligent technologies, greater respect for natural resources and a
shift from non-renewable resource exploitation to self-sustaining
renewable practices. This study will look at how the redesign of a
terraced street, with focus on sustainable community living, can
make a significant contribution to the creation of more sustainable
habitats and reduce adverse ecological impacts.
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There is an emerging consensus that a more sustainable approach
to our environment is required. The way in which housing is built,
maintained and the general lifestyle of the occupier has a
considerable impact on the environment. According to an analysis
from the European Environment Agency (2007) home energy use is
accountable overall for 25% of energy related greenhouse gas
emissions in the EU. When compared in terms of energy use, houses
in the UK performed poorly, consuming up to 10 times the energy
usage of other houses built elsewhere in Europe. As our cities
become more urbanised, with over half the human population now
living in cities with over 1 million people (Population reference
bureau, 2012) we are beginning to consume, waste and pollute
more. As Richard Rodgers (1995) suggested in his Reith lectures;
Ecological problems that face our cities are intertwined with social
ones; they both have a common source. The cities are rich,
multifaceted places which offer private pleasures but also the
chance for public life and a spectrum of opportunities in between.
The problem is that for too long individual interests and above all the
search for short term profit have over ridden the needs for the
broader community. Anyone who has lived in a modern city will be
familiar with the affects that this has had. He proposes that , It has
lead to the segregation of activities, the promotion of the car, and the
spread of the city onto the countryside, the encouragement of
inefficient and hostile architecture and the neglect of the public
realm.
As an element of the city, the design of individual buildings; for
example an individual terraced house, can make an important
contribution to sustainability. If the acceptability of sustainable
design in buildings is established then the sustainable design of
cities will inevitably follow, this agenda has been widely adopted by
architects such as Michael Hopkins, Richard Rodgers, Norman
Foster and Nicholas Grimshaw.
Fig 2-Ecological footprints by world regions (2008)
Figure two shows that North America and Europe have the highest
global footprints. These stresses on the environment will unavoidably
lead to rising temperatures, illnesses caused by air pollution and
contaminated water, food shortages and energy scarcity (Victor,
2009.) The objective of this report is to explore the ideas of
sustainable design and apply it to developing a sustainable
community within an existing district clearly deprived and in need of
retrofit. It will investigate the wide range of different building fabrics
and technologies required to create a space which is healthy,
economically viable and remain sensitive to social needs.
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Energy
EnvironmentEcology
A focus on sustainable lifestyles looks at the environmental
consequences of everything we purchase and consume in our daily
lives. Sustainable living is essentially the application of sustainability
to lifestyle choices and decisions. In an interview with Greg Ross
(2006) Lester R. Brown, a prominent environmentalist and founder of
the Worldwatch Institute and Earth Policy Institute, states that the
fossil fuel-based, automobile-centered, throwaway economy [needs
to be replaced] with one that is powered by renewable sources of
energy, that has a much more diversified transport system and that
reuses and recycles virtually everything.
Sustainable design and sustainable development are important
factors in encouraging sustainable living; UN Documents (1987)
defined sustainable development as, development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs. The concept of sustainable
development generates several sub-definitions relevant to building
design. These sub-definitions show the value of merging key aspects
in reference to specific topics, such as building types, services or
level of development (Edwards, 2005)
Sustainable development key issues;
Environmentall resources Futurityour collective future Equitysharing across generations
Fig 3Sustainable Development framework (Smith. P 2002)
Sustainable design describes a design philosophy that values the
natural environment as an integral factor in creating new products or
modifying old ones (Corey Freed, 2008.) The target of sustainable
design is to eliminate negative environmental impacts through skilful
and sensitive design (McLennan, 2004.) Sustainable design can be
seen as a general reaction to global warming, aiming at controlling
the effects of growing populations, depletion of natural resources,
damage to ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. The practical
application of sustainable design can include choosing non toxic,
sustainably produced or recycled materials which require little
energy to produce, creating long lasting and better functioning
designs that will have to be replaced less frequently and also the use
of energy efficient manufacturing.
Fig 4Sustainability framework
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Architecture
Sustainable Materials
Education for Sustainability
Sustainable
Design
Sustainable
Construction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_R._Brownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_R._Brownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentalisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwatch_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Policy_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Policy_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwatch_Institutehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentalisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_R._Brown7/31/2019 Finished Research Project
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The UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janerio (1992) formalised a plan to
jointly address the imperatives of ecology, environment and energy,
until then Energy had been the main cause of concern, however the
Rio agreement effectively widened the environmental debate to bring
all resources into the frame. This broadening picture influenced the
reconsideration of priorities between energy, other environmental
resources and the ecological systems which hold them together.
The agreements in Rio developed a framework for assessing the
ecological footprint of buildings. This in turn causes architects to
consider other environmental issues and think about the impact
buildings have on the greater ecology.
Edwards (2005) highlighted the main issues surrounding Energy,
Environment and Ecology and gave a brief description how they
could be improved;
Energy
Move from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources Employ low energy design See the building as a generator of energy Consider all energy uses Heat recovery Use orientation to reduce energy load Consider embodied energy and energy in use
Environment
Consider broad environmental impact Resource conservation
Restore land and buildings as part of developmentprocess
Avoid pollution through design Design for durability, flexibility and recycling Design for health, comfort and safety
Ecology
Choice of materials Link design systems to ecological systems Recycling of waster Maximise diversity from minimum resources Use development to extend or create natural habitats Use planting for shelter and energy efficiency.
The agreements made at the Rio Earth Summit suggest that to
maintain a sustainable lifestyle there needs to be a balance of the
three agendas rather than just aiming to achieve one aspect at the
expense of others. This in turn should lead to a more environmentally
friendly response to sustainable living and architectural design.
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Fig 4Components of sustainable communities (10)
Egan (2004) describes sustainable communities as a community
that puts focus on sustainable values considers the diverse needs of
existing and future residence, contributing to a high quality of life and
presents opportunities to live sustainably without foregoing home
comforts. A sustainable community shares a common goal rooted in
respect for both the environment and human nature and uses a
range of technology, design and practice in an appropriate way to
serve these resources. He suggests that in effect this approach to
sustainable living can be used to enhance the environment, promote
social cohesion and support economic prosperity.
The importance of sustainable communities was first expressed in
2003 by the then prime minister John Prescot, he devised a report;
(Sustainable communities: Building for the future, 2003) explaining
how the government planned to tackle the need for more affordable
housing and improve the quality of urban and rural neighbourhoods.
"This plan will take us towards successful, thriving and inclusive
communities, urban and rural, across England. Communities that will
stand the test of time and in which people want to live," (Prescot,
2003)
This report widened the framework for sustainable development and
identified key requirements of a sustainable community, from this
John Egan (2004) expanded the idea and came up with a clear
definition; Sustainable communities are places where people want
to live and work, now and in the future. They meet the diverse needs
of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment,
and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe and inclusive,
well planned, built and run, and offer a range of opportunity and
good services for all.
In 2007 the UK government produced a Sustainable Communities
Act (Department for Communities and local government, 2007) The
Act aims to promote the sustainability of local communities beginning
with the concept that local people know whats best for their
community and understand what it takes to promote sustainable
living in their area. It also understands that to aid this there needs
help from a central government. The Act is designed to strengthen
the role of communities; generating a process whereby ideas
generated by local communities are fed though local authorities to
the central government who then decide which proposals should be
implemented.
The Egan Review - Skills for Sustainable Communities (2004) defines
the skills needed to help deliver the vision and aims of the
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Sustainable Communities Act. The review suggests that generic skills
such as behaviour and knowledge are just as important as the
technical skills of planning, architecture and surveying. These
generic skills include;
Governance of communities Economic planning Communication Risk taking Leadership and partnership
In short the plan aims at developing decent, affordable homes, a
diverse and inclusive community, access to jobs and services, and
the chance to engage in and make a difference to a community in
which people want to live and work, now and tomorrow.
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Toxteth is a district within Liverpool which is full of contrast; there are
around 400 large Victorian and Georgian houses reflecting part of
the district which was much favoured by the wealthy merchants of
Liverpool, (Liverpool Preservation Trust, 2011) however most parts
are clearly deprived with rows of terraced houses boarded up.
The Welsh streets are very well located, close to two beautiful public
parks. The City Centre is easily accessible by local transport
systems. Being the birthplace of musician Ringo Starr (Liverpool
Echo, 2011) the Welsh Streets have become a popular landmark but
despite dating back to the 18th
century the streets have been
condemned for demolition due to being in such poor conditions and
allegedly beyond rescue.
The area has become a focus of a national debate around housing
policy. LCC NRA, Consultation Records (2005) show that 388
people, some of whom live/lived on the Welsh Streets are against
demolition with only 91 for. The clear majority are against demolition
and would much prefer to see the historic houses renovated. The
HMRI scheme is responsible for condemning the buildings (Bourne
2007) along with a proposed 400,000 other buildings around the
midlands and North England, however funding for the scheme was
cut leaving the Welsh Street houses boarded up and abandoned.
Currently Merseyside has 13 thousand empty homes and 23
thousand seeking housing (Welsh Streets, n.d.) The Welsh street
houses consist of two bed Victorian terraces, four and five bed
Townhouses and some three bed 1950s houses, the majority of the
Victorian houses have retained their two up two down layout, some of
the Town houses had been converted into apartments and the 1950s
houses remained the same. However, the majority of the houses
have been stripped of all content, plumbing and fittings (The Edward
Finch Partnerhip, 2008.)
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Housing demand and its environmental impact generate a
substantial debate. Housing is a troublesome issue for many
reasons:
The need for more affordable supply The high cost of land and construction Shortcomings in energy performance The need for basic repair and energy upgrading of millions
of existing homes.
(Power and Mumford, 1999)
Since 2003 the UK government has used demolition as a tool for
reconstructing housing markets to suit modern conditions, it is
usually only required to demolish unwanted and un repairable
houses. While demolition is a common feature in regeneration, it
imposes severe costs both on the communities that are targeted for
regeneration and on the wider urban environment (Power 1993.)
Removing run down houses in run down areas would seem obvious
in terms of sustainability as in their current state their energy
performance is very low.
Fig 5 Typical building heat loss without insulation (IQ Energy
Services n.d)
Figure 5 shows the main building elements and the percentage of
energy lost without insulation, typical of that in an un-insulated
Victorian terrace house. However demolition is costly; costing up to
twice as much as the cost of refurbishment (Rodger Tym & Partners,
2005). It can cause knock on effects on local business and
neighbouring homes, as areas where homes are proposed for
demolition do not attract investments and are usually undesirable.
Demolition also proposes a significant effect on the environment
through the transportation of materials, impact on landfill sites and
pollution created in the process of demolition and re building (Power
& Houghton 2007.)
It would be possible to conclude that only extreme dereliction
justifies such high social, environmental and economic costs. The
retention and upgrading of existing homes would help meet todays
housing need and protect more vulnerable communities, having a
less damaging effect on the local environment. Upgrading the
energy performance of homes offers immediate benefits, particularly
to disadvantaged communities. It also expands the potential for
providing additional homes in existing communities while saving
energy, land and materials.
The design of the Victorian terraced houses as they stand in the
Welsh Streets usually have a very poor energy performance due to
the lack of insulation, however the current design makes them
relatively easy to renovate because of their simple, rudimentary form.
English Heritage (2006) is currently working to preserve and restore
older properties. It has demonstrated the advantages of restoring
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older houses and has overcome criticisms that these older buildings
are not energy efficient due to their design and listing. At a
community level English Heritage cements the importance of
protecting terraced streets and neighbourhoods as part of its wider
role in preserving our built heritage.
Evidence from a study carried out by The Building Research
Establishment (BRE, 2009) shows that terraced housing can be
reasonably cheap to repair and cheaper to maintain than a new
build, requiring considerably less materials and therefore less
embodied energy. It suggests that by restoring old bricks, beams
and other structural elements the repair costs can remain reasonably
low. The study produced well insulated terraced houses and the
potential for less energy use, providing benefits for both the
community and the environment.
In all but the most extreme cases, refurbishment seems to be both
cheaper and beneficial to the community and environment than
demolition and new build. Refurbishment produces many clear
advantages, providing a positive impact on the neighbourhood in
terms of investment and protecting local history. It is also far quicker
than the demolition and rebuild of new homes and is far less
disruptive to local residents.
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The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC, 2006)
demonstrated the feasibility of upgrading existing buildings to a high
energy performance standard by addressing the use of energy,
water and construction materials and the treatment of waste
products. Findings show that to achieve maximum energy efficiency
and reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions basic elements such as roofs,
walls, floors, windows and heating systems need to be addressed.
Figure 6 Home improvements for energy efficiency (SDC, 2006
P.33)
The official standard for warmth in a living room is 21 degrees and in
other rooms 18 degrees (Department of health, 2007.) About 25% of
homes in the UK achieve these levels. A government house condition
survey (2008) for England found that when outside temperatures fell
to 4 degrees;
50% of owner occupied homes 62% of council homes 95% of private rented apartment
failed to reach the minimum standard. In most homes heat escaped
very easily through floors, chimneys, walls, roofs and windows, to
overcome this the building needs to be well insulated and draught
sealed. With adequate ventilation, comfortable temperatures can be
maintained using less energy.
Thermal insulation in a building is an important factor in providing
comfort for the buildings occupier. The building needs to have the
right balance of humidity and ventilation, usually these healthy
environments include natural light sources and the right use of
ventilation and materials. (Smith. P 2004)
Insulation materials differ in thermal efficiency and properties such as
fire resistance and ozone depleting potential. There are three main
categories of insulation material; (Save your Energy, n.d.)
1. Inorganic, mineral based2. Organic synthetic, derived from oil3. Natural organic, derived from animals and plants
Inorganic, mineral based come in two forms; fibre or cellular
structure. Fibre structures include rock wool and glass wool. The
material is vapour and air permeable however moisture can build up
in the insulant over time reducing its insulating value. It can also
cause skin irritations, it has also been suggested that this material
constitute a cancer risk. Cellular structures include cellular glass and
vermiculite. Cellular glass is manufactured from natural materials with
over 40% being recycled glass. It is impermeable to water vapour
and waterproof, non combustible, vermin-proof and has high
compressive strength. Vermiculite has a high insulation value,
resistant to decay, odourless and non-irritant. Organic/synthetic
insulants are restricted to cellular structure, some examples are; EPS
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(expanded polystyrene) which is rigid, flame retardant non toxic,
vapour resistant plastic insulation. XPS (extruded polystyrene) which
is a closed cell insulant that is water and vapour tight. PIR
(polyissocyanurate) this is a cellular plastic foam which is vapour
tight and available CFC and HCFC free. In general, cellular materials
do not pose a health risk and there are no special insulation
requirements. They are all also free from CFCs and HCFCs.
Natural/organic insulants consists of fibre structures such as
Cellulose which is primarily manufactured from recycled newspapers
which are then constructed into fibres, boards or batts and treated
with fire retardant and pesticides. Sheep wool can also be used as
long as it has been treated with boron and a fire retardant. Straw can
also be used for wall insulation due to its high thermal efficiency.
Hemp is a highly eco friendly material that grows without needing
pesticides and doesnt produce any toxins. Initial test have used
hemp as a building material mixed with lime and used like concrete.
Roofs and Loft
A poorly insulated home looses approximately 25% of its heat
through the roof making it one of the most cost effective places to
insulate (fig 5). The choice of insulation will differ depending on
whether the space is a cold loft or warm loft (NBS, 2008.) In cold lofts
where the space in inhabited insulation is attached between and
above the floor joists, and around water tanks and pipes. In this case
fibre based insulants are most appropriate such as glass wool, rock
wool, cellulose and sheep wool. However if there is a risk of moisture
infiltration organic synthetic insulants would suffice. For a warm loft
where the space is used for storage or it is inhabited cellular
insulants should be used, either mineral or organic/synthetic. The
insulant is applied to the roof of the loft, in between the roof rafters
then covered with plasterboard. In the case of inhabited lofts in most
situations it is necessary to insert a vapour barrier between the
insulation and the plasterboard internal finish.
Fig 7 Loft insulation for Welsh Streets
As the Welsh Street houses stand, the roofs are in bad condition and
in need of repair (Grove. K 2008,) although it would be sustainable to
try and reuse the existing tiles, in terms of energy efficiency Solar
Sunslates will be added which in turn could cover 60-80% of the
houses electrical needs (Smith. P 2004.) The original tiles can be
reused on other areas of the community or sold to provide for houses
elsewhere. Sunslates are an advanced photovoltaic product.
Sunslates take the place of traditional roof tiles, therefore fitting
seamlessly in to the building design.
Fig 8 Example of Sunslates (World Technology Corporation, 2008)
Insulation positioned
over joists
Insulation positioned
between joists
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Interior and exterior walls
Three materials meet the British Standard for cavity wall insulation;
(Energy Savings Trust, 2012.)
1. Mineral Wool2. Beads or Granules3. Foamed Insulants
Cavity Wall Insulation works by blowing the insulation in to the cavity
through holes in the wall approximately 20mm thick and 1.3m apart.
Rock wool and Glass wool are the most popular of the materials, due
to the durability and ability to remain resistant to moisture damage. A
survey carried out by Kelvin Grove (2008) confirmed that the
majority of the Welsh Street houses are solid brickwork. There are
two ways of insulating solid external walls; cladding the exterior of
the insulation consists of fixing insulation to the plasterboard with a
skim coat of plaster or plaster applied to metal lathing.
Fig 9 Example of Solid Wall Insulation. (Energy Saving solutions
2012.)
Both options would mean the exterior or interior of the building will be
modified. With External cladding, extended guttering may be
necessary to accommodate the extra wall width. Windows and doors
may also need to be replaced or modified to avoid cold bridges at
openings and cover the window and door reveals. The benefits of
such cladding include; the protection of the walls of the building,
ensuring a longer life. The structure is stabilised preventing due to
thermal expansion and a significant improvement in comfort levels
throughout the building. (Smith. P 2004.)
To build a solid external wall up to Building Regulation standards
90mm of internal insulation would be required meaning the internal
insulation space would be reduced. (Smith. P 2002) The
consequences of this would mean moving all skirting and electrical
sockets and possibly the relocation of windows and doors. However
party walls would not need this amount of insulation but may benefit
from it; not only would it conserve warmth but it would also reduce
noise transmission. (Energy Savings Trust, 2012.)
Flooring
Heat loss from flooring is approximately 15%, insulation could
effectively reduce this and also save up to 100kg-240kg of CO2 a
year. (Energy Savings Trust 2012.) The most common method is to
insulate between the floor joists. Many new build homes have solid
concrete flooring, in which case the insulation material is laid on top
of the slab. Insulation would be applied to all downstairs areas
however rooms above heated spaces may not require insulation. The
Welsh street houses currently have their original flooring which
means insulation between the floor boards could be applied(Grove.
K 2008,) however as the walls are being insulated from the inside
12 3
4 56 7
8
1. Existing wall 2. Polymer adhesive
3. Rock wool 4. Anti-crack mortar
5. Mesh 6. Anchor nail
7. Anti-crack mortar 8. Finish coat
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and underfloor heating is going to applied to the downstairs areas
insulation will be laid on top of the floorboards, in-between the
underfloor heating system and the floorboards.
Fig 10 Example of flooring for the Welsh Streets. (Flexel, n.d.)
Windows and doors
The current location of the windows and doors will hopefully be
retained. As they stand, they provide enough daylight and provide
natural ventilation to the required areas. The original windows will be
replaced with triple glazed windows making sure the property
remains air tight.
Materials
To keep costs down and remain sustainable many of the original
materials will be reused and renovated to create a more sustainable
home. The additions to the interiors will be cork flooring. Cork is a
durable natural product that absorbs sound, provides thermal
insulation, and is warm and comfortable under foot (Urbaneliving,
2010.) Since it's resistant to bacteria and fungus, and doesn't absorb
dust, it's ideal for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. It is
extremely sustainable as it can be used in the home without having
to cut down any trees - cork can be harvested from the same tree for
a period of around two hundred years. Low VOC paints will be used
to limit exposure to harsh chemicals, and natural wool fibre carpets
will be used in the bedrooms.
Ventilation
Due to the air tightness of the buildings Air vents have been added to
provide stack ventilation in the summer months, they can be
mechanically opened and the heat is pulled up through the centre of
the house via the staircase, taking advantage of the fact that heat
rises naturally, and out through the top. The occupant does however
have the option of natural ventilation through the windows and doors.
Fig 11Stack Ventilation design for The Welsh Streets
Water and rain water collection
Rain water harvesting systems can reduce demand for mains water
and relieve pressure on available supplies. Reducing the volume of
mains water supplied means less water is taken from lakes, rivers
1
2
3
4
1. Laminate/Wood floor 2.Polyester vapour barrier
3. Underfloor heating 4. Thermal Insulation
5. Original flooring
5
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and aquifers and more is left to benefit ecosystems and help sustain
the water environment. (UK Rainwater Harvesting Association, 2004.)
Fig 11 - Average amount of water used per household in the UK.
(The Greenhouse Trust, 2012)
An underground rain water harvesting system will be added to the
Welsh Streets design, collecting rain water from the roofs to provide
all non-potable water to the houses for;
All outdoor use Toilets Washing machines
Low flush toilets and taps will also be added to the design to
produce a more sustainable home
Fig 12 - Typical rain water harvesting system. ( The Greenhouse
trust, 2012.)
Solar Panels
Solar powered flowers have been designed for the communal
outside areas. These will provide intelligent outdoor lighting when
required. It collects its own energy throughout the day from the sun
and releases it when required in the evening. The LED street lamps
feature motion sensors that are triggered once the sun sets by
individuals walking in close proximity to the light. This also conserves
its energy. The flowers also provide shade for people to sit under and
provide a welcoming appearance.
Fig 13Solar Flower. (Inhabit, 2012)
Waste
Community composting and recycling measures will be available in
the community garden. Recycling helps to preserve recourses and
reduce waste however it may be possible to recover some waste and
use it for gardening uses which is why the composting bins are
important. These can be used for the shrubs, lawn and soil which will
be particularly useful in The Welsh Streets for the fruit and vegetable
patch and newly landscaped outdoor areas.
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Transport
Frequent bus links and safe cycling routes are an important aspect in
maintaining a sustainable lifestyle. The Welsh Streets will be fitted
with bus stops that include live feeds of bus times. Updated cycling
and walking information and a shared car club links. Improved public
transport and increased pedestrian routes will inevitably reduce car
emissions and develop a more sustainable community.
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Sustainability is increasingly becoming the greatest design issue in
Architecture in the 21 Century. There are key ideas strengthening the
proposal of sustainable design such as; using ecology as a system,
broadening the idea of sustainability far beyond simply saving
energy and the importance of combining community and technology
systems within the sustainability concept. These issues introduce
architects and designers to the idea of reusing and recycling and
develop ideas to reduce the demands made on the environment and
recover the effects already made by pollution and waste. What
Richard Rodgers and Anne Power recognize in their powerful book
Cities for a Small Country (2002) is the role that urban pat terns play
in supplying the basic criteria for sustainable cities. Every aspect of
housing and design such as; the house, street, garden, terrace,
apartment block, park, pavilion etcetera; are all passed down to
future generations, therefore there is a colossal importance in
recognising how valuable these existing buildings are and
redeveloping methods in which to make them more sustainable. The
answer to a more sustainable future depends on the acceptance of
new low energy systems being transferred to existing buildings and
designing new buildings with the essence of high environmental and
ecological imperatives. In conclusion many unused buildings stand
with functioning windows, walls and roofs and it is these buildings
which can be sustainably modified using green technologies and
practices developed though new construction. The efficient use of
resources, particularly energy, corresponds with creating robust,
healthy communities. Sustainable housing is more than just
determining sustainable physical attributes, it will only be successful
through the collaboration of physical, social and cultural factors.
Effective sustainable housing needs to establish economic prosperity
stimulate social cohesion and enhance personal, communal and
global health.
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2 Bedroom
Ground Floor
First Floor
Specifications
General
Underfloor Heating Cork Flooring downstairs Low VOC paints 100% wool carpets upstairs Triple glazed windows Low flush toilets and taps Community rain water harvesting system for outdoor use PV Sunslates
Kitchen
Compact florescent lighting Terrazzo Counter tops AlterECO Bamboo cabinets
Bathroom
Low flow shower heads Lecico Bathroom suite in white
Living room
Kitchen
Study
Bed 1
Bed 2
Bathroom
Dimensions
Kitchen 3334x3270
Living Room 3334x3916
Study 2450x3336
Dimensions
Bed 1 4280x3465
Bed 2 2810x3916
Bathroom 2450x3336
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1
2
3
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5
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1. Landscape gardens2. Community rain water harvesting system3. Thermal store4. Mechanically operated stack ventilation system5. Low water usage bathroom fittings6. Sunslates7. Roof insulated with Sheep Wool8. Triple Glazed windows
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Community Living
The design of the Welsh Streets allows for the new residence to work
together in a neighbourhood that it great to live in and remains
sensitive to the surrounding environment. The development allows for
community gardening, socialising and recycling. Sheltered bike
sheds allow for the promotion of using fewer cars and in turn less
fuel. Homes in the Welsh Streets are designed to be extremely well
insulated so they are naturally warm in the winter and cool in the
summer. The homes include a range of features which allow the
occupant to have control over the heating and ventilation at their
pleasure.
The homes include a range of features which allow the occupant to
have control over the heating and ventilation at their pleasure. The
idea behind The Welsh Streets is to create homes that are respectful
towards the environment but remain easy and cheap to run.
Importance lies on the development as a whole rather than the
individual houses; to allow people to have more environmentally
friendly and satisfying lives: to walk or cycle, rather than drive; to
share lifts or join a car club; to grow their own food and to co-exist
happily with their natural surroundings and above all their neighbours
and the community as a whole.
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2
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1) Sheltered bike shed 2) Shared vegetable patch 3) Solar flowers 4) Shared Garden 5) Socialising spaces
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