Tue, 19 Dec 2023 03:26:19 +0000 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17932 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17932 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 20:50:55 +0100 djh
How does building control work for DfE schools? How can nobody have noticed serious structural problems for four years and five schools?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17558 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17558 Sat, 03 Sep 2022 19:03:33 +0100 ioanaoprisan
I am working on my dissetation with the title “Is BREEAM the Key to a Sustainable Future? A Study Assessing Its Influence on Commercial Property Value” which analyzes if a commercial building gains benefits in terms of sale price, rental value, speed of transaction, ability to secure finance and corporate image and prestige value, by obtaining a BREEAM Certificate. In order to gain an in-depth analysis, I created a questionnaire for potential participants who have knowledge in terms of BREEAM and commercial real estate. The responses would be anonymous and further used for research purposes only.

If you would be able to complete this questionnaire it would be much appreciated and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I will attach the link below and then you can decide if it is something that you would be interested in completing.
Thank you so much for your time!

https://uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2nOwigO3YHaKrem]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17285 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=17285 Mon, 15 Nov 2021 14:48:03 +0000 Victorianeco
I understand 500lux is required fro Office lighting, so I would need a light of 4300lumens? I have found a 4000 lumen one in Toolstation but wondering if that is up to the task?

As such can anyone recommend a light for this purpose? The wiring will need to be surface mounted

It will be myself in this office so have no requirement for any sensors etc, just a standard switch but maybe dimmable?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9294 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9294 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:34:38 +0100 tony
And what if it was function room for conferences, receptions, dining?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16108 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16108 Fri, 26 Apr 2019 18:46:16 +0100 bogal2 Can anyone shed any light!]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15453 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15453 Wed, 13 Dec 2017 22:29:06 +0000 tony
U values for hall walls, floor and ceiling =?

U-valises for outside walls of changing rooms shower areas etc, floors, ceilings internal = ?

Air tightness target for whole building

Heating forsports Hall, gas is available, and energy source for hot water and heating other areas?

Ventilation strategy?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15228 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15228 Sun, 13 Aug 2017 12:22:51 +0100 bogal2
I'm planning the, ongoing!, building of a passivhaus Vet Surgery in the Wigan area. Still struggling with deciding on a few details. Im planning on timber frame, warmcel insulation, probably on a passive slab. Nearly everything needs to be on one storey- I understand his dosent make for a very good form factor.

Any suggestions for making this build cost effective as its in an area of really low house prices?

The SE has advised that, as the site of a now demolished which had a cellar under part of it, there needs to be a uniform 1m of crushed, rolled material under the whole site. Does this sound excessive?

There maybe 100 visits a day so does the building need a draught lobby, should this be external to the thermal envelope or internal and insulated or not?

Theres a passive vets in Dublin, where the owner complains of overheating, would a 100mm slab be enough thermal mass or should I go for more?

Sorry, a lot of questions!

Thanks,

Chris]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14848 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14848 Wed, 18 Jan 2017 22:29:06 +0000 tony
"We need to use piled foundations (to protect my PI insurance)" , they explained

Now that we have done soil borehole tests and designed the piles we feel that it would be safer to go down another 600mm (you will have to pay for this extra depth)

We have to pay but were piles even necessary?

There is a 200 year old building within 25m of our site and the building that we are extending is 40 years old and showing no signs of any structural problems.

We still need piles.... but why??? -- see above]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14563 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14563 Sun, 25 Sep 2016 20:06:56 +0100 ComeOnPilgrim http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14480 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14480 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 19:31:44 +0100 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14376 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14376 Wed, 06 Jul 2016 12:28:33 +0100 Victorianeco
I also need help with shop lighting, anywhere I can read up on? Eg. how many lights per area etc. etc. the shop is ~65m2]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14153 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14153 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:08:28 +0100 ralphpr
Long time no see. I wonder if anyone can help?

I'm two months into the conversion of a listed coach house into a private dining/function room for a hotel.

My problem is that the 600 mm thick limestone rubble North walls have an inaccessible two metres of earth up against them. I was proposing to tank them with Newton type crating draining away but then had hoped to insulate and lime render the inner face. The original 2007 stone wall thread is long gone and I wondered what current thinking is on insulation, breathability and lining.

The double height south facing (wainscotted to 1200mm high) well glazed room will sit 20 plus diners, be thoroughly insulated top and bottom, have a wood stove, and underfloor heating so fairly regular heat but my client wants to hang pictures along the north and gable walls: an independent ventilated timber frame was my assumption but much the old thread criticised this approach. Certainly the conservation officer would like a light touch with the imperfections of the old wall on show.

Any help gratefully received.

Ralph]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13594 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13594 Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:32:50 +0100 tony
Suggestion is SIPs and paint them, I am afraid of surface spread of flame, any thoughts?

Sports hall, changing rooms, reception.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13117 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=13117 Sun, 15 Feb 2015 14:47:37 +0000 owlman http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12541 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12541 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:20:59 +0100 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11910 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11910 Sat, 29 Mar 2014 14:41:04 +0000 mr_magicfingers
Currently, the options seem to be blockwork with insulated plasterboard glued to the block or 2x6 studwork on 60cm centers filled with either mineral wood, celotex or spray foam and with gyproc on the inside.

Blockwork is quick and fairly cheap but the insulated plasterboard is expensive. studwork is cheap but celotex infill is a lot of work and expensive and time consuming. Mineral is cheap but fiddly. Sprayfoam such as icynene is fast but expensive, so I need to weight those up.

Does anyone have experience using icynene for walls like this or have any thoughts on my other options?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12563 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12563 Tue, 16 Sep 2014 21:01:29 +0100 northumbrian The client decided to treat the sleepers in a black treatment(variety not known at this time), and now is complaining that some have rotted.
ALL the other applications we used the same sleepers for are absolutely fine.

Can anyone shed any light on why this rot may have occurred in a relatively short period. Could it be something in the soil which surrounds their feet?
Could it be moisture that has been trapped in by a non breathable treatment?
Any suggestions would be welcomed as we have used green oak for years without a problem

Thanks in advance]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12484 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12484 Mon, 25 Aug 2014 14:20:25 +0100 tony
Floor 11C walls 12.5 rising to 13.3 at head height, complained, saw a child with a hat and scarf two weeks ago, staff all wear coats and one wears gloves!

It has air cooling and plenty of cool displays and a couple of small horizontal freezers.

I have to help pay for all the energy wasted on cooling.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12449 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=12449 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:21:01 +0100 tony
So the result is that they are questioning if it is sensible to build all glass monstrosities, tending to come to conclusion that is not.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11645 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11645 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:06:33 +0000 tony
Want
1 Good design
2 Low maintainence
3 Low running costs
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Dont Want
1 Flat roofs
2 Parapet Walls
3 Box gutters
4 Thermal bridges
5 Air Cooling
6
7
8
9
10]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11918 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11918 Tue, 01 Apr 2014 11:31:29 +0100 Doubting_Thomas
http://www.detail-online.com/architecture/news/house-without-heating-office-building-in-austria-022818.html

Would be interested to know how they achieve the air movement required to adequately supply fresh air.

Steamy Tea may have something to say on the Thermal Mass claims too..!]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9871 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9871 Sat, 01 Dec 2012 22:53:00 +0000 tony
The net result is that is in their best interests to keep the boilers on 24/7 with the windows open.

Can this be true and has anyone else seen this type of thing?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10824 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10824 Mon, 24 Jun 2013 21:51:25 +0100 bogal2
The pub floor area is 190m2 on the ground floor and has a very damp west gable wall due to higher ground levels outside. I intend to deal with this by tanking the inside wall after installing some drainage ouside which is limited by the foundations being only 50ch deep!

I have planning permission to externally insulate and remove the bay windows, which have leaky recessed roofs.

My plan, at present, is:

Insulate the walls with 120mm of PIR and render after leveling the present render. Is this ok with a still damp wall on the west side despite having removed internal render up to 1m on the inside several months ago?

Insulate the floor with 100mm PIR floating floor which will require a few door frames to be raised. About 50% of the floor has a suspended floor over a cellar. The rest has an old concrete floor with bitumen over. The cellar entrance will presumably need insulating too.

To cover EWI I intend to extend the roof and insulate between the joists with warmcell on top of an intelligent membrane to create a cold roof. This seems to leave a diificult to avoid thermal bridge at the eaves, any suggestions how to avoid this? A warm roof seems to be a bit of a waste of an unused heated area?

I intend to install MVHR and will need some sound insulation to mask the barking!

Any comments on this strategy and whether or not it will result in a significant reduction in energy use would be appreciated!]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10815 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10815 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 21:46:18 +0100 tony
A copper roof should last over a hundred years so why replace it mid life with a short lived alternative?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10801 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=10801 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:11:00 +0100 Ed Davies
http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/18/19025546-space-station-crew-opens-europes-einstein-cargo-ship-after-fungus-flap]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1541 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1541 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:28:27 +0100 Katymac & how much will they charge?

The Nursery is not going well

The tenders came in at £420K......I have £180 to spend

So once we have taken out the silly stuff (like oak skirting boards and block internal walls) I managed to get it down to £255

If I lose the VAT on that I'm down to £215

So major economies needed plus I guess builders that don't charge VAT....small ones - so I think I will need a project manager

Am I right?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9697 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=9697 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:43:55 +0100 Doubting_Thomas
After our directors turned pale at the cost of renovating each 500W fitting to take HID lampholders and 150 Watt CDM lamps (sorry I'm not entirely sure what all the acronyms stand for), I thought it might be worth consulting the GBF for any alternative suggestions...including throwing the whole uplighter system out for something else more efficient.

Afraid I'm not sure of the current lumen output of the tungsten fittings so I can't do a lm/W comparison but I'm conscious that we may not be able to match the existing output with fluorescents or lots of LED's.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

Tom]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7302 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7302 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:52:35 +0100 tony
"The organisers say they are on track to deliver the world's first "truly sustainable" Olympic Games!!"

I cant see that --- the first games might have been but now --- no way.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8830 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8830 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:42:43 +0000 candlemaker http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8793 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8793 Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:50:31 +0000 pmusgrove http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8280 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8280 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:52:56 +0000 tony
Unheated? and for the case where it is heated?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8144 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8144 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:56:12 +0000 tony
They are using nice insulated laminates steel profile sheets

But on top of the existing uninsulated profiled sheeting

This leaves an air gap between the new and existing 80% of the area

This is a winter cooking system making the insulation of very little value -- anyone else seen this going on?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7103 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7103 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:01:24 +0000 tony
This "cultural" practice is going to have to stop

I was in Salisbury at the week end and the shops there were worse than in my town, fully open with the heating on full and apparently trying to heat the street!!

How will this "culture" ever change? It is again the exact opposite of energy saving and reduction of demand etc...]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7399 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7399 Wed, 18 May 2011 23:04:56 +0100 tony
My favorites to include are doors and insulation

and to exclude are 24/7 escalators and air cooling]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6386 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6386 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:16:19 +0100 MarkBennett
As a result, I'm interested in seeing if we can come up with a solution that serves the needs of the room and users but minimises the install and ongoing running costs. The company is a large multi-national but with a reputation for being more environmentally conscious than all of our peers, so I think there would be some buy-in from the people that will have to sign it off.

Can anyone point me towards some useful papers/websites that will help me understand the possible approaches?]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7102 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7102 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 13:56:18 +0000 tony
dont they realise that if they opened the blinds they wouldn't need the lights on


This is the complete opposite of energy saving]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6407 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6407 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:12:55 +0100 tony http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=807 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=807 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:44:12 +0000 steveleigh http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6018 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=6018 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:32:59 +0100 aaron82
Whilst I understand the principles of cold-bridging I'm somewhat unclear as to how far away from the building fabric it needs to be addressed.

I have an internal steel column which connects to an eaves beam that runs through the insulated cavity to an external canopy. This is subsequently connected to an external column which is bolted to the foundations, 1200mm below grade.

Obvicously the eaves beam is a massive cold-bridge, and to address this we are surrounding the beam with insulation before completing the cladding of it with Marley boards (to match the rest of the facade.)

Whilst we are also cladding the external column I am trying to establish whether it also needs to be insulated? Will there be significant cold bridging through the column, to the eaves beam, to the internal column and then through a single skin of blockwork?

Any advice appreciated.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3039 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3039 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:04:13 +0000 Matt
I was however pleasantly surprised. They have delivered a low energy (by office standards) building with a lot of thought in materials specification. It is a fully AC office, that delivers lower energy use than many natural ventilated offices (better than 'good standard' new Nat Vent @ 180kwh/m2). The AC is much smaller than usual (due to all the avoidance of solar gain) .A lot of thought was put into orientation and layout, with lots of glazing variations depending on aspect, shading and southerly buffer zones (eg sever and storage rooms), combined with a light well and garden in the center of the building. Lights are organised in switched gangs parallel to windows, and are all on daylight and occupancy sensors. Zero VOC paints, recycled carpet and furniture etc used inside. Green roofs and terraces are accessible from the ofiices direct. All areas have recycling boxes. Low flow taps n toilets, with some rainwater used to flush urinals. Airtightness was 7ach/m3/m2@50pa - with a number of bags blowing off vents that they could not reach, so they think it is closer to 5ach. Damn good for such a large building.

All the carbon cost of getting materials to site was measured - all suppliers were posted 'swipe cards' to get onto site to measure distance traveled to site (And carbon emissions) - all deliveries without 'swipe cards' had to fill in a form to state mileage etc. Carbon embodied only equates to one years running cost in carbon apparently, and is about the same as the weight of the building. 75% of the carbon was transport, of which half was 'tiny' deliveries such as a couple of boxes of screws via DHL for a subbie....

Generally there is no eco bling or shiny technology - they stripped it down to the basics of good design and specification. There were all sorts of questions such as 'why did you not use a heat pump?' that were slapped down quite well with 'we didn't need it'.

Its all going to be monitored by Sheffield Uni in detail.

In general, I thought it was a great example of how reductions and efficiency are far better than 'bling'; how detail matters; how airtightness and careful insulation is a huge gain; and how solar gain is a bigger issue than heating in such buildings.

Best bit? all delivered for £1600/m2, and the cost saving of moving from 5 old offices in Sheffield to being in one new office is £1m a year to the taxpayer - so they delivered a higher performing, lower cost building for the same cost as a 'cheap office' (like we are seeing all over Sheffield at the moment). The rent is LESS than the Sheffield average, and running costs in energy/water/maintenance are expected to be significantly lower than other new offices.

See, this green stuff works... :cool:


http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3101111

http://www.hcd.co.uk/index.htm




PS, shall I sidestep the issue of it being on a flood plain and having the carpark closer than the bike storage or bus stop? :cry:]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5585 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5585 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:10:37 +0100 Lexy
Can any one advise how much I should be paying someone to project manage and build a project estimated to cost approx £260,000. I have been quoted 30% on labour plus 16% on materials plus 10% on subcontracted work plus an hourly labour rate of £18/hour to completely manage and build the project. I really just want to know if these are reasonable rates for a job in central Scotland in the current economic climate. The project manager/builder was also the architect for the design stage. I haven't put the build out to tender.

Thanks]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=4749 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=4749 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:54:29 +0000 tony
How ungreen is that!]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3814 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3814 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:26:06 +0100 SimonH
Why do we use steel on all commercial buildings in the UK?

Why do the Amercians use wood on nearly all buildings?

Some examples I've seen going up.

US
Largest shopping mall in Phoenix - Arizona Mills.
300 flat apartment complex.
3 storey hotel blocks.

All "stick built" on site in timber.

UK.
Pick any office block built more than 1 storeys in the last 40 years.
Pick any commerical / industrial unit with a floor area > 100 m2. and it will have steel columns supporting the roof.

Conclusion. People stick to what they know.

Is steel cheaper in the UK? Or is it a case of no one ever got fired for using hollow core concrete blocks on steel frame?

And in the US - the lack of local clay, lime or coal deposits meant everything came in by rail to the west. And therefore localish timber set the precedent as it's lighter / cheaper then alternatives were?

Simon]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=4072 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=4072 Mon, 25 May 2009 11:49:35 +0100 sinnerboy
http://constructireland.ie/Articles/Passive-Housing/Tramore-Tesco-store-built-to-passive-house-standard-and-beyond.html]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2990 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:47:42 +0000 stevennorfield
My company is looking into the design and implementation of a small commercial development in cambridgeshire. An office centre of 8 to 12 units that works to support the local area in both design (being consistent with the surrounding area) yet innovative enought to stand out.

Being in cambridgeshire biomass is plentiful, so we'd like to run with that, but we're not adverse to other ideas. We're very much with the BMW school of thought of efficient dynamics, in that we'd rather have simple clever solutions than technological showpieces. So in essence, clever design is in, techy stuff out as it were.

We've got some backing off local government and we're looking to have everything in place by september, since this is when grants from the local council are decided and paid out. We are sure that th massive marketing appeal will, at the very least, heighten the profile of said cambridgeshire town.

So really, what I'm asking for, is for you guys to throw in your ideas, regardless of what they are, so we get some fresh perspective on things rather than have our team perhaps get a little too blinkered in it's workings.

Look forward to hearing your ideas! please feel free to ask questions as we'd love input from all and sundry!

Regards

Steve Norfield
Director
Selling Solutions Cambridge]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3645 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3645 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:45:23 +0000 SimonH
There are radiators with TRVs under all the windows but they are mostly off. No air con ducts. The building looks to have been built in the 60's and has obvious thermal bridges at each floor. Walls are only about 250mm so no room for fancy insulation. Windows are single glazed with poorly fitting secondary glazing - i.e. some have come of their runners, some don't close properly. They run 2/3 the height of the room and 80% of wall area. So should be huge heat loss.

Surely this heat can't just be the PC's/monitors and body heat? It's worse in the mornings, until we come in and open the windows :-(

My hunch is that as we're on the 6th floor it's simply heat rising from lower floors. Is this a common problem? If so I dread to think what it will be like May-August :-(

More importantly - how do you solve this assuming your employer isn't planning to move? Get the floor insulated and pass the problem down to the storey below?

Simon.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3875 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3875 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:01:51 +0100 IDN101
I am currently designing an eco study centre. It is a very modest building with a footprint of just 50m2. The emphasis on this project is low energy / sustainability. I have a few questions regarding it's design and construction that I am hoping someone could help with.

External wall will be of two types:-

Walls to the south / east / west:

Thermally lightweight / timber clad:-


INTERNAL
12.5mm duplex plasterboard
150x50mm framework @ 400mm centres
100mm insulation between studs
15mm WBP ply sheathing on face of framework
moisute barrier
19x38mm vertical battens (at 400mm centres)
38x38mm counter (horizontal) battens
150mm wide vertical larch cladding
EXTERNAL


Other wall type is:-

INTERNAL
15mm 2 coat plaster
100mm thermal conc block
100m insualtion
100mm thermal conc block
Lime render (thickness?)
EXTERNAL


Roof:

All I know is that the client wishes for it to be an aluminium roof. Can anyone suggest a "green" system for the aluminium roof? I've thought about a composite panel type system (ie Kingspan, etc), bu I don't think that it's too green? Any pointers, links would be most appreciated.

Also:-

Triple glazed windows

Anyone point me in the right direction to a supplier of triple glazed windows, here in the UK.

Will probably have loads more questions over the coming days / weeks.

Many thanks,
Regards,
Ian]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2946 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2946 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:06:59 +0000 SimonH
I'd already been putting a business case together to get intellignet lighting done and had assumed a 5 days x 12 hour lighting pattern. So it should make it much easier to justify.

However - anyone know of real world costs and savings of such systems. I have costs of kits from various wholesalers, but wondered what typical costs are for replacing a 8 way panel with an automated backend with internal light level, dusk sensors and seasonal timers. And anyone seen any real world savings. I think a straight replacement of the switches would be cheapest , but there's potential to swap 25mm T8 tubes for lower energy T5 tubes which can also be dimmed with suitable replacement ballasts. This is useful in our building as we get lots of daylight at certain times of day so along with luighting zones could throttle back the energy use.

My fag packet calcs worked out £4,000 a year current, £1,500 potential. That was before I realisied they were potentially left on at night / weekend!. This includes a demand based change which is based on your peak use - usually taken sometime around 4:30 pm on a cold winter night. Even if we spend £5,000 in the first year it will pay back in 2 years.

The short term fix is going to be sticking explanations of the lighting switches next to each switch and encouraging my colleages to use them - I think everyone thinks security turn them off - which they don't.

The worst thing is this is one of 3 floors, which itself is one of 18 buildings we have in our vacinity ( I work for a large company). I dread to think what wastage we have, but have now found the person to talk too - we actually have a Green representative. The next hurdle is working out who pays for the lighting bill and has the most to gain - my company, the landlord, facilities management company, or the client (who subleases the building to us)!!?

Simon.]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3024 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3024 Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:19:45 +0000 trevor I am having my wood workshop taken down and a brick one built, with a wooden roof, I have bought a Pot belly wood burning stove, only a small one as the workshop will be 15 feet x 8 feet, I am only wood turning as a hobby, but sell my turnings then give some money to a local hospice.
With having a wood roof, would you advise me to insulate the roof above the stove, and if so what would you recomend, as the building is so small, I dont see the need to get the stove to its full power, approx 4kw out-put, the base os the building will be a concrete base.

Cheers all the best trevor. (cheshire uk)]]> http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2009 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=2009 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:53:42 +0100 jamesingram
Anybody know much about this ,

I believe its a requirement by some/all local authority planning dept.

All new commercial developements most show how they will achieve a 10% onsite renewable generation for there
expected energy use, similar to the 'merton rule'

Am I on the right track ?

and could anybody recommend a good company for such a report

thanks for thoughts

jim]]>