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SELF BUILD
This is fast becoming a popular way of procuring a new home; but finding sites is difficult. Around the planet as a whole it is a common method for people to go about obtaining their home; either through their own efforts or their friends and family. Here it does not normally mean that someone does all the work themselves; just finding the site, getting plans drawn up and doing some of the work themselves.
Builders: www.findabuilder.co.uk
Construction: www.buildstore.co.uk
www.selfbuildzone.com
www.self-build-home.co.uk
Information: www.selfbuildanddesign.com
Knowing your local area: www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk
Land registry: www.landreg.gov.uk
Sites for self-building: www.greenmoves.co.uk
SOLAR
Rooftop solar panels, solar water heaters, PV cells, solar shingles; there is a bewildering array of products that can be used to convert solar energy into a useful source of power for electrical appliances or heating.
For general information on solar energy systems and how they can be integrated into a building design see:
www.solarcentury.co.uk
www.bpsolar.com
www.smartenergyuk.com
www.pv-uk.org.uk
www.solar.org.uk
STRUCTURAL
There are many different types of structural methods; and very few that are really sustainable. Timber framing has become recognized as one of the most important structural methods as trees when cut down from a managed wood will offset carbon emission compared to when they are allowed to degrade as they die in a forest; moreover they can be worked in a factory thus reducing wastage. Prefab and modular methods can also be more sustainable as they reduce wastage and can be highly finished in an efficient manner; giving quality where it is required.
Basements: As building plots become scarce extending down becomes a realistic option. Architects and Structural Engineers should be consulted for surveys and feasibility studies if you are considering this option. For information see:
www.labc-services.co.uk
Experimental design: www.iceknowledge.com
www.ice.org.uk
Piling systems: www.screwfast.com
Screw piles do not require huge amounts of energy and can be used to give an efficient support on sites difficult to access.
Prefabricated housing: www.w.m-house.org
www.panablok.com - dry assembly systems.
www.sips.org - timber framing
www.ecolite.com - prefab sandwich panels
Shell systems: www.innovaresystems.co.uk
Worth a look for an interesting design alternative using timber frames from sustainable sources.
Subsidence: General sites if concerned about your property:
www.subsidence.org.uk
www.abi.org.uk
www.aviva.com
www.rics.org
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TIMBER
General: www.timber-frame.org
www.trada.co.uk - Timber Research and Development Association
Companies: www.borderoak.com
www.timberresources.co.uk
Masonite Beams: for use in floor and wall construction;
www.fillcrete.com
Ply & MDF: Do not use tropical ply if avoidable; instead use Finnish Birch or American Ply as they tend to be from sustainable sources. See the American Hardwood Export Council:
www.ahec.org
www.weyerhaeuser-europe.com
Preservatives: PCPs, Dieldrin, Coal Tar and Lindane are all used in preservatives in the building industry and can accumulate in the human body to dangerous levels. Borax is preferable for timber preservatives. Better still is to specify or use durable timber from a sustainable source. Timber should also be pressure impregnated.
TOURISM-ETHICAL
South Africa: www.earthwatch.org
South America: www.ecorepublic.com
www.responsibletravel.com
Thailand: www.ecovolunteer.org
United Kingdom: www.trackways.co.uk
www.gn.apc.org/tourismconcern
WORKING HOLIDAYS
General UK: www.sunseed.org.uk
www.findhorn.org
www.organicholidays.co.uk
Balkans: www.greenvisions.ba
TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS
This relates to historic and self-build as well as general sustainable practice in building. It encompasses oak framing, strawbales, cob building, handmade bricks and any one of a number of techniques.
See SPAB; Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings who organize courses for owners of historic and listed buildings:
www.spab.org.uk
Strawbale Building: Using straw in buildings has a very long history indeed; and it is one of the least energy intensive (and therefore carbon emitting) technologies around. The latest approach in western Europe is to construct walls out of strawbales to 2 storeys; they are normally placed within a frame. See:
www.strawbalefutures.org.uk
Traditional techniques: General
www.buildingconservation.com
www.wealddown.co.uk
Thatching; it can be difficult to find a good thatcher. The following websites may help:
www.thatch.org
www.thatchedliving.co.uk
www.eamta.co.uk
www.thatched-group.com
Tiling – Peg roofing : www.babylontileworks.co.uk
Woodstoves: For burning wood for cooking and fuel:
www.ceramicstove.com U
V
VEHICLES
One of the main contributors to poor air quality in London is the fact that the average speed of a car is now less than that of a carriage in Victorian times. This increases pollution notably that of ground level ozone. Instead of designing the car out we should now design the car back into the system; like ensuring that the north and south London circulars are the free-flowing expressways they need to be in order to reduce pollution. There could also be more bridges over the section of the Thames east of the City; the queues for the Blackwall and Dartford crossings are a national disgrace. All this delay affects business and the need for better roads policy is vital to the future of London and Britain.
Cars that run on compressed air
www.theaircar.com
Cars that run on LPG
www.est-powershift.org.uk
Engine Oil:
This consists of mineral oil plus 20% elements such as phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, boron, zinc and molybdenum. This is a highly toxic mix with trace elements of lead and should never be dumped. Take waste engine oil to the household waste site. Some local garages collect.
There are oil recovery banks dotted around; see your Local Authority. S - T - U - V |
