Follow Zero Carbon House on Twitter!A unique zero carbon house has been built in inner city Birmingham, to meet the stringent requirements of Level 6 of the UK Code for Sustainable Homes. It’s an eco-house that will produce at least as much energy as it consumes, and it’s built around an existing house!
Designed by John Christophers of Associated Architects as a family home, the ground-breaking carbon-neutral building is now being lived in. It’s an extension of a redbrick Victorian house, converting a 2-bedroom semi-detached into a 4-bedroom dwelling with a studio loft. It extends upwards and outwards: upwards to catch the sun otherwise obscured by a taller neighbouring house, sideways for more space. The original 1840 brick house is preserved, as are the mature ash trees in the garden. Integration with the surroundings is important, and the design takes full account of the neighbouring architecture.
OPEN AFTERNOON Sun 28 March 2010
Let us know if and when you’re coming
There’s a short video tour at www.itv.com. There’s another more focused one from Midlands Today on youtube.
The design conforms to Level 6 (the highest level) of the new Code for Sustainable Homes. It’s not the first Level 6 house under the sun, but as far as we know it’s the first in the UK to incorporate an existing building, and may be the first to be lived in. (For similar projects, or to record yours, see other Level 6 and zero-carbon houses). Architectural flair, user-friendliness, and a pleasing living space are as much a part of the design as the demands of the Code.
This is another milestone in the history of eco-homes and energy-efficient buildings in the UK – seven years ahead of the government target, which decrees that all new homes should be carbon-neutral by 2016. We see it as a contribution to the groundswell towards green lifestyles and the enjoyment of a sustainable way of life, in the shadow of global warming caused by human emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It’s designed to protect the environment and enable its occupants to enjoy the environment.
Contractors: SpellerMetcalfe
Environmental design consultant: Matthew Hill at Leeds Environmental Design Associates
Structural engineers: Richard Hartshorne at Shire Consulting
Inspiring, prophetic and wonderful juxtapositions of established and pioneering. Good to see the process, the relationships, structural justice and social history being key building blocks.
Given that younger people are often more attuned to environmental issues have you thought of inviting Blue Peter or local equivalent to do a feature?
Thanks for comments. Philip – we are involving the school opposite, who are very interested in making links with their teaching. About 40 of them just made a site visit. We’ll ask Blue Peter if they’re interested!
I would like to receive some more information and high res. images abnout this projects to write an article that will be published on some of our magazines.
Dear friends
I read that a Halifax Estate Agency survey has failed to find one home in the Uk whose Home Energy Performance certificate is A rated. You could be first! Interesting to have that and a valuation to see what you have added to the value of the property.
John N
I think your Open Day on 13th April was very inspiring. People realy need to see the materials and construction to get the idea. The turnout was brilliant- seemd like 100 people to me. I was especailly excited to hear that the tree surgery on the ash trees in the garden has provided enough wood to warm you through a number of winters. Birmingham is said to have more trees than the Black Forest in Germany…
Your amazing project is certainly ambitious and I wish you all the best for bringing it to conclusion over the next months. it will be amazing when finished!
Great to see progress on this – how unusual to hear the builders are three weeks AHEAD of programme!
It looks as though you might be setting the standard for sustainable construction in an existing urban environment. Nice to see all is going well and that there is a great deal of interest. Look forward to seeing it for myself.
I think its a great idea & when its finshed it will be famous
The house already transmits a feeling of contemplation, warmth and
inspiration and it hasn’t even got people living in it yet! the love and
enthusiasm that you have given to this project becomes clear to see.
Well Done on your Zero Carbon House!
I was very impressed when I came to your Open Day on Saturday. I look forward to seeing the house again when it’s finished.
I hope you have chosen insulation with decrement delay (thermal lag) characteristics for the sloping roof with space below
A very important consideration; we are using Natural Building Technologies woodfibre based “Pavatherm” boards which have a pretty good decrement factor. For those not familiar with this, it will typically delay the transfer of heat from outside to inside on a hot summer’s day to reduce over-heating. Apart from the roof, all the walls and floors have between 203mm/275mm/57mm of dense clay blockwork or rammed clay to give excellent decrement factors elsewhere.
I was pointed in your direction by Colin Dyas. Great project. We recently helped make an Edwardian manor house virtually self sufficient, installing wind, solar PV, and an Air source heat pump. Would love to pop down to see the project some time.
I am really pleased to see a Level 6 incorporating an existing property! This site is an excellent resource too. Best wishes Jan
Thanks Jan- we think we may well be a UK-first in attempting this: many people have said it is not possible, too expensive, too complex, too much hassle … we are in the last few months of construction now and it has been challenging but great FUN!
I think there must be quire a few other house similarly converted. I know of atleast four similarly converted houses here in North Cornwall. Still, some interesting ideas wortyh copying!
Checkout out Transition websites, e.g. http://www.TransitionNC.org
Take our house, Cottage Farm – heat store used to heat water 365 days a year and the house using existing central heating radiators, heat store charged by watr heating solar panels, wood burner and electric top up heater. All electricity from wind turbine and PV panels. All wood from our own little woodland. All water from a bore hole. All diesel from waste vegetable oil.
Have I left anything out? Oh yes, most veg & fruit from garden, own poultry and eggs, plus organic local breed grass only production of beef and lamb.
Sustainability does not stop at the front door!
Your project looks really interesting! Where is the house? Tide~ global learning works with groups of teachers exploring global issues and developing creative curriculum activities for schools. We are doing quite a lot of work with teachers around climate change in Birmingham and it would be really good if we could share your project with them if that would be ok.
Dears Jo,John & Theo,
Well Done your Zero Carbon House.
I wish I were there to see your Open Day.
Can’t wait to see you soon.( But when ????)
Gongratulations!
Mabrooooook
Salwa Abu Salem
I am a Quantity Surveying student at Liverpool John Moores University and am currently working on my dissertation, in which I am investigating the cost of achieving level 6 homes in self build projects and the commercially viability of this standard.
I would be more than grateful if you could forward any information which may assist me in my work specifically on the true cost of developments of this nature.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
A very ‘grand’ design! Looking forward to the next open day
Congratulations – a realistic time for the contractor to do a quality job. Looking forward to seeing inside on the open day on Saturday.
Are you or have you been able to monitor temperatures without any “gadgets”, solar, PV etc?
I’d be interested to compare it to our house nearby which drops about 1/2 degree C per day when outside conditions drop to near freezing (i.e. about 10 degree difference inside to outside causes a rise or fall of 1/2 degree) due to its thermal mass and some external insulation (the drop in in unheated slightly draughty areas and without double glazing as yet this “winter”). (That is, if you can measure before next summer and save data for reply when you get time!)
For graham cargill – please feel free to phone me and speak about the cost of achieving level 6 – 0121 449 0278.
Excellent! My son and I really enjoyed the open day, especially John’s talk – the only pity is that we didn’t know about previous open days. It’s so important to give serious thought (and action) to existing housing like this project and not just new builds.
Hello there, I heard about this on The One Show and couldn’t make the opening day on Saturday 14th. Would like to know if you will be doing another open day as would love to look around.
An interresting and eye catching design. The zero carbon qualities of the design are an inspiration. The sheer ugliness of the building and the way it clashes horribly with the rest of the street’s buildings is exceptional and a shining example to all of how not to do things. This style of architecture should be illegal.
I couldn’t let angry Pat have the last word.. he (she?) might have a point, but its a shame to reward John’s generosity of spirit, sharing his knowledge freely, with rude comments. I’m sure many people find the design challenging, but I was inspired by it. There are many really nice touches – for example the pop out bay in the studio giving a spectacular view over the city centre. Of course the real merit of the building is its low environmental impact. The huge attention to every detail is evident and this applies to the architecture as well as the environmental aspect of the design.
Like it or hate it, surely we should all applaud the fact that an “expert” has decided to freely share his knowlege with all of us. How many of us would do the same – and risk attracting criticism that over steps the mark.
Hi, how exciting.By pure chance i turned the telly on to see the last part of a feature on your house.I would love to know more and wonder if you are planning any open days for 2010.
Dear John and Jo
I attended your open day with my husband and loved your amazing house and everything you have done. I also edit The Vegan magazine (the magazine of The Vegan Society). As most of our members are also environmentalists I thought that they would be very interested to read an article about your zero carbon house. Would you be able to write up to 1,000 words about this wonderful project?
Kind regards
Rosamund Raha
We are planning another open day on Sunday 28 March, as part of a week of local green activities being organised with BALSALL HEATH IS OUR PLANET. RSVP at http://zerocarbonhousebirmingham.org.uk/home/open-afternoon-sunday-28th-march/
This looks amazing. I visted John Newson’s house earlier last year and he’s just told me about this one.
I’m really interested in how you the house has helped you through these severe weather conditions. The Telegraph reported an extra £70 on our january bills, but what do your readings show?