'The Greening of the Capital's Homes'
Public awareness of the effects of climate change is now greater than ever before, and there is increasing interest in how we can all use sustainable design solutions to reduce our carbon footprint. This year Open House London provides a forum for in-depth dialogue about how to plan, design and live sustainably for the 21 st century. Two talks in the week before the event offer a valuable opportunity to find out how building owners, architects and local authorities are creating exemplars of eco-design:
'Futurehome - timber system buildings'
Architect Ken Taylor from Quay 2c talks about the practice's recent projects, including Fairmule House in Hackney and Chancery Court in Lewisham.
Tuesday 11 September 2007 at 6.30pm
'Transformation - from Victorian House to Sustainable Home'
Building owners Sarah Harrison and David Drake and John Doggart, Chairman of the Energy Centre for Sustainable Communities, discuss how the transformation of 73 Chester Road in Camden, a semi-detached 19 th -century house, has reduced its carbon footprint by 60%.
Thursday 13 September 2007 at 6.30pm
Both talks take place at the Allgood Gallery, 72-73 Warren St, London, NW1
Tickets are free but pre-booking is essential as numbers are limited. To book, please email Claudia at vol3@openhouse.org.uk or search under the main buildings section search pages and the entry will take you through to the booking page.
The Green Building Guide
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Recently, it has become hard not to open a newspaper or turn on the TV without coming across phrases like ‘carbon footprint’ and ‘sustainability’. Environmental issues, in particular climate change, have risen up the political, business and media agendas. Of course this is a positive step forward, but there are challenges that come with this. There is a plethora of advice on how to ‘go green’, some of which is confusing.
Buildings account for about 50% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and the production of materials used in buildings accounts for a further 10%. Buildings are also major consumers of water, timber and other materials – so they have a massive impact not just on our contribution to climate change, but other environmental problems, both in the UK and around the world.
In 2007 Open House is teaming up with the UK Green Buildings Council to produce an introductory guide to the latest technology, materials and designs that are making our buildings sustainable. It only scratches the surface of what is possible, but hopefully will inspire you to think about what could be achievable in your own home, or place of work or learning.
The challenge is to spread best practice, so all homes, offices, schools and other types of building – both new and existing – are developed or retro-fitted to the greenest possible standards. As so many of the examples in Open House London show, green buildings are not just good for the planet, but are also designed to be great places to live and work.
Copies of The Green Building Guide are available from Thursday 13th September at the Allgood talk, or by emailing Open House
Text courtesy of Paul King, Chief Executive of UK Green Buildings Council