| Transforming the UK's existing housing stock - a report with recommendations (Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, 2008) | |
| Policy insights and practical guidance. A Carbon Trust study into the potential of small-scale wind energy. (Carbon Trust, 2008) | |
| The public don't want them and the housebuilders fear that they can't be delivered by 2016. There is a lot of work to be done changing hearts and minds, judging by this report from the NHBC, if targets are to be met. (Harvey & Davies, NHBC Foundation, 2008) | |
| This EHA report describes groundbreaking research into the combined embodied (built-in) and operational (in-use) carbon emissions from refurbished compared with new build houses. (EHA, 2008) | |
| This research focuses on existing commercial building stock. Particular aspects of sustainability (environmental) performance in existing building stock are reviewed in this report, including energy, water, material efficiency (recycled content) and support for biodiversity and habitats. (Isabel McAllister, Cyril Sweett, 2007) | |
| A report by Cyrill Sweetts comissioned by Kent County Council / Interreg IIIA to establish the cost of alternative materials commonly used in sustainable construction. The survey results are tabulated to allow direct comparison and illustrate true value. | |
| Avoiding Substitution - The substitution of sustainable materials with non-sustainable products by contractors is a major barrier to sustainable construction. By using dedicated specifications instead of the popular generic type, the buildling designer can regain control. (Brian Murphy, GreenSpec, 2006) | |
| Delivering Sustainable Design in the Real World - Commercial constraints quite often stunt the ambitions of the building designer. In this paper, a strategy for breaking down these barriers is explored an the practical implications for the design of buildings in the future are discussed. (Andrew Pettifer, Gifford & Partners, 2003) | |
| Heavyweight vs lightweight construction - This important report demonstrates that as UK temperatures climb,' lightweight' buildings are ill-prepared to meet the challenge. 'Heavyweight' construction that borrows from traditional cooling techniques in Southern Europe is setting the model for future housing developments. (Ove Arup and Bill Dunster Architects, 2005) | |
| Concrete solutions for the changing climate - This guide provides information on the simple, passive design techniques that can be applied in masonry and concrete dwellings to take advantage of their inherent thermal mass on a year-round basis. (The Concrete Centre, 2006) | |
| This report presents the results of a two-year research programme to monitor and evaluate the performance of earth masonry in modern wall construction. The programme made a detailed study of one new building through the complete construction process, including design, procurement and occupation. It also took into consideration several other projects that used these materials. | |
| Far from leading the way, the GreenGuide preserves the status quo and stifles the market in green products. By lowering the bar to green product accreditation, GreenSpec creates an alternative market available to all. (Sandy Patience, GreenSpec, 2006) | |
| Unsustainable offices are becoming unviable - This report by Gensler London shows that the commercial market is slowly shifting towards sustainability. 'There is a perception amongst developers that there is no demand for sustainable buildings. As a result, they lack the incentive to commission greener buildings. Our research shows that this pessimism is misplaced - business recognizes the benefits of energy efficient buildings and is willing to pay 10% more in rent for more efficiently designed and constructed buildings' (Gensler London, 2006) | |
| Interior design contributes to sustainability -
Obscured by the dust thrown up by the rush towards sustainable architecture,
interior design is quietly revolutionising its approach. (Daniel Doran, GreenSpec, 2004) |
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| The long-awaited assessment of the health and environmental impacts
of polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) building materials.
The report conclusions makes clear that PVC, also commonly known as
vinyl, is not a healthy building material. The 205 page report was
written by a committee of the USGBC's Technical Science Advisory Committee
(TSAC) in a process that stretched over 6 years. (United States Green Building Council, February 2007) |
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| PVC products are failing the market - the argument over PVC is rehearsed here through the eyes of a local government officer working with the reality of PVC performance in a London borough's housing stock. (Chit Chong, London Borough of Camden, 2005) |
| This report will provide Local Authorities with the knowledge to understand the barriers to implementing water efficient measures within businesses under their jurisdiction and how to help the same businesses save both money and water. (ech2o, SEEDA, 2008 | |
| A brief introduction to Recyled Materials and Products - Building products with recycled content have been a highlight of government policy to improve resource efficiency. But what are the implications for the specifier? (Brian Murphy, GreenSpec, 2004) | |
| The construction industry uses around six tonnes of material per person per year - This paper looks at ways of reducing this figure and making the industry more resource efficient (BRE, 2003) | |
| Sustainability starts in your Office - whilst we are busy designing buildings for a changing world, our office practices might not match the quality of our output. This paper provides a checklist of office functions and activities through which we can bring ourselves up to scratch. (Brian Murphy, GreenSpec, 2003) |