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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._Brown


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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

4

5

6

7

8

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.

1

2

3

4

5

1) Sheltered bike shed 2) Shared vegetable patch 3) Solar flowers 4) Shared Garden 5) Socialising spaces


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