Do you ever find yourself thinking about how eco-friendly your home is? Perhaps you’ve just had a smart meter fitted? Are you saving for solar panels? Or considering getting one of those heat pumps everyone’s talking about?
Building and construction are responsible for 40% of global carbon emissions. Today, global leaders at COP26 will discuss what needs to be done in this sector to win the race to net zero.
But instead of talking about it, let’s look at those who are actually taking action.
These are the architects and building companies using new and innovative ways of constructing low and zero-carbon homes in Cheltenham.
Studio Be
When it comes to sustainable building, these guys are leading the charge. Based in Stroud, Studio BE uses a unique Nature-Based method when designing and building homes. They use a six-point process where Climate Change, Nature & Biodiversity, and Health & Wellbeing are at the forefront.
Green Roofing and living walls are installed into their designs to help provide wildlife habitats and captures pollutants. Rainwater Gardens will also be added to help reduce flood risk on their properties. Living Walls and Green Roofs also provide additional insulation, reducing heat loss and overheating.
They have signed up for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2030 Climate Challenge. To fulfill this challenge, companies need to reduce embodied carbon by at least 50-70% and reduce potable water use by at least 40%.
Newland Homes
This housing development company is also doing its bit by securing planning permission to build 22 new low and zero-carbon homes. The new homes will be built on Kidnappers Lane in Leckhampton.
Their properties aim to include:
- Solar panels where possible
- Dual flush toilets to save water
- Underfloor heating
- Low energy light fittings
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Thermal insulation in walls and roofs
Water butts will be positioned within private gardens to capture rainfall from roofs and enable the residents to use the water to garden with and wash their cars.
With all this planned, is this the way forward for our new homes?
Quattro Design Architects
Ever heard of Passivhaus? Me neither. But Quattro is Passivhaus certified, meaning they follow the specific standard of building homes to achieve “highly energy-efficient buildings with excellent levels of indoor air quality and thermal comfort.”
They have also committed to the RIBA Climate Emergency Declaration. By committing to this they are planning to:
- upgrade existing buildings to be more carbon efficient
- raise awareness of the climate and biodiversity emergencies
- advocate for faster change in the building industry towards regenerative design practices
