Sustainable General Architecture

The main objectives of Sustainable designs aim to reduce or completely avoid consumption of critical resources such as energy, water, land and raw materials. This prevents environmental degradation caused by the infrastructure and facilities throughout their life cycle creating a livable, comfortable and productive surrounding.

UKs aim on developments is to focus on Green Buildings and Sustainable uses.

Passive Solar Energy ( heating & day lightning ) is the largest renewable source used in the UK however Larger solar heating schemes are not supported under the UK Renewable heat Incentive.

Most Renewable Heat is from Biomass?

Biomass provides the bulk of the EU's renewable energy.Over 12% of these sources are contribute to the EU's energy consumption.

The UK is very well supplied with ambient

energy sources- Wind, Waves, Tides, hydro and there is even some solar energy

Material considerations for sustainable building designs should include:

• Renewable materials, Sustainably produced

• Abundant Earth Materials

• Local Production

• Little Processing (Low-Embodied Energy)

• Re-Usable

• Recycled/Recyclable

• Non-Toxic

• Avoid metro-chemical materials

Sustainable and Green Building designs have a positive impact on the environment.

The Centre for Alternative Technology has taken the zero carbon and sustainable approach for their building designs including integrating a range of sustainable materials (Lime Mortar, Timber, Solar Panels, Wind Turbines etc) as well as growing a few of the materials on site.

Using a timber frame technique the eco-cabins are topped off with solar thermal panels and green roofs.

Solar thermal collectors and wood stoves are used for hot water and heating.

The cabins provide accomodation for CAT students as well as visiting school/college groups.

Grey water is treated on site as as the cabins have their own water supply, flushable and compost toilets and reed bed sewage system.