Leaving aside cost for a moment, what do you need for an environmentally sustainable building?
- Environmentally benign, ubiquitous materials from local sources, either new or recycled
- Airtight structure and very high thermal insulation
- Zero carbon power supply
- Zero carbon hot water system, and secondary system as back up for space heating (provision 2 above in most latitudes will provide sufficient space heat)
- Healthy passive or low power ventilation system with heat recovery
- Low power water and wastewater system
- Grey- and if possible black-water recycling or treatment system respectively
- Accommodation as far as appropriate of plants and for birds on the structure.
This section lists some leading edge technologies available from companies in the East of England which can meet these requirements.
- Carbon positive wall and panel system #1
- Carbon positive wall and panel system #2
- Carbon positive wall and panel system #3
- Effective, cost-competitive natural ventilation system
- Phase change material panels
- Honeycomb products for buildings and packaging
Many low and zero carbon technologies can also be seen within the region at the BRE Innovation Park, part-funded by EEDA.
