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Environmental Preference Schedule Of Construction Elements, page 4
PLUMBING
- Polybutylene pipes (Hep2O) above ground and polyethylene below ground. Internal wastes in polypropylene or polyethylene
- Stainless steel
- copper
- PVC internal wastes and lead
Choice: 1 & 3. Principally Hep2O with occasional use of copper.
Reason: The copper was used in some places for aesthetic reasons.
TIMBER
- Reused where possible
- home-grown FSC certified
- imported certified
- pre-treated unsourced
Choice: 1, 2 & 3. A lot of timber was reused and we avoided the use of pre-treated timber.
Reason: In some cases it was not possible to identify a suitable alternative to imported timber.
HARD LANDSCAPING
- woodchip/bark or reused stone/brick/ concrete flags – no pointing
- concrete paviours made from recycled aggregate set in sand with no pointing, gravel
- new concrete or brick paviours with cement pointing, clay tiles
- tarmac
Choice: 1,2 & 3. We used on site crushed concrete for bases and a combination of local gravel, new and reclaimed paviours and minimal new concrete.
Reason: In some areas creating disabled access caused concern with gravel finish but using thin gravel over a binding mix in combination with the other materials has proved relatively successful in practice.
FENCING
- native broad leafed sp. or willow hedging
- timber fence/drystone wall or reused brick walls with lime mortar
- new brick/block wall
- concrete or treated timber
Choice: 2.
Reason: It was necessary to establish boundaries immediately for safety and security reasons, so hedging was not an option.
PRESERVATIVE TREATMENTS
- Avoid if unnecessary
- Local treatment with Borates where required
- Overall treatment
- Pre-treated timber
Choice: 2.
Reason: We wanted to ensure a clean build from a health and allergy perspective.
PAINT FINISHES/DECORATIONS
- untreated surface
- lime wash or water based mineral paints for walls and ceilings and wax and oil finishes
- Water based acrylic paints
- Paints with organic solvents and lead based etc
Choice: 2 & 3. All the oak and larch was oiled and the exterior softwood painted with Osmo microporous stain and internal wall painted with Auro paints.
Reason: Best preference to meet aesthetic and environmental preferences.
SEALANTS
- Coconut fibre, felt, sisal, lime
- Mineral wool, PE tape, EPDM seals
- Elastomeric sealant with base filler
- PUR foam, sealant or tape
Choice: Various were used including Lime, mineral wool, and Elastomeric. We avoided PU foam.
Reason: Practicalities.
LIGHTING
- Design for natural light with reflective surfaces
- Low energy and LED
- Low voltage halogen
- Tungsten
Choice: 1, 2 & 3. We used low voltage halogen outside for safety reasons.
Reason: artificial light essential for amenity, safety and security in winter.
HEATING
- Super insulated and designed such that no heating system required
- Carbon neutral heating system
- Condenser boiler
- Electrical heating
Choice: 2. Woodchip boiler with accumulator heat store.
Reason: Having the land, we wanted a system that could utilise home grown fuel and have planted willow for short term rotation coppice. It was not possible to achieve a zero heating option within the constraints imposed by the existing structures and planning permissions.
References used:
The Whole House Book: Pat Borer and Cindy Harris
Handbook of Sustainable Building: David Anink, Chiel Boonstra, John Mak
Hazerdous Building Materials: Steve Curwell, Bob Fox Morris Greenberg, Chris March
The Ecology of Building Materials: Bjorn Berge
The Green Building Bible and their website: www.newbuilder.co.uk/greenpro
The Association of Environmentally Conscious Builders. This is a great organisation that has a superb forum on its web site - well worth a visit: www.aecb.co.uk/forum
Centre of Alternative Technology: www.cat.org.uk and their great information service.
Designers and Engineers:
Architects,: Nick Carroll, www.nickcarroll.net Nick Joyce www.nickjoyce.co.uk
Andy Simmonds, www.simmondsmills.com, Adrian Llewellyn, www.geomantic.co.uk, Neil Lewis
Ecologists: Wildways
Environmental consultant: David Olivier, www.energyadvisoryassociates.co.uk sponsored by www.carbontrust.co.uk
Heating Engineer: HMS Consulting
Logo Design: Sally Mae Joseph
Planning Supervisor: HPSS
Quantity Surveyors: J.I. Crowle and Dave Gwillam
Structural Engineer: Stuart Derbyshire
Web site construction: Top Spin Web Design www.topspinwebdesign.co.uk
Builders and Contractors:
Main Building Contractors; The Granary and annexes: B. Andrews and Son Ltd
WholeHealth: D. G. Berry
WholeHeaalth Lobby: Alternative Building Company, www.alternativebuildingcompany.co.uk
Electrician: Jeff Allen Electrical
Plumber: J. R. Snell
Lime plasterer: Smart Plastering
Joinery : B&P Worcester and RMD Leigh Sinton
Decorating: Jobs Done, Simon and George Cox, and Marram Jeffries
Fire Alarm Active Fire: www.actfireworcs.co.uk
Intruder Alarm: Web Net Systems
Ground Works: G. Cooper, D. Philpotts, C. Griffiths
Landscapers: Bransford Webbs Plant Company, Guy Sterry, J. Barrow
Specialist Suppliers:
EcoCafe Servery: Foal Yard Furniture www.foalyard.co.uk
Biomass Boiler: Talbott’s Ltd www.talbotts.co.uk
Kitchen equipment: Francis Catering www.franciscatering.com
Lime: Mike Wye & Associates www.mikewye.co.uk
Solar Panels: Eco-nomical www.eco-nomical.co.uk
Wood fibre Insulation: Natural Building Technologies www.natural-building.co.uk
Various building materials and advice: The Green Building Store www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk and The Green Shop www.greenshop.co.uk
Will Tooby; Project manager. July 2007
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