New guide for sustainable design in the Broads
The Broads Authority launched a Sustainability Guide on Thursday 29 June to inspire property developers, designers and home owners to be creative in sustainable design.
The Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund funded LSI Architects to carry out research into sustainable design and present their findings at a seminar in early September. Based on that research the Broads Authority has produced an easy-to-read booklet on sustainable design, illustrated with photographs and diagrams, and accompanied by a CD with website links.
The guide was launched in Whitlingham Visitor Centre, Whitlingham Country Park, itself a good example of sustainable design involving the re-use of an existing building. The country park, created from gravel workings, is also an example of sustainability in terms of biodiversity and habitat creation.
The guide calls for “a cultural change in the whole building design process” and suggests ways in which buildings can complement the sustainable balance of the Broads. The ideas in each section are costed from cheapest to most expensive to give an idea of return.
The booklet has sections on designing buildings to adapt to climate change, energy efficiency, choosing materials which have a low impact on resource depletion and energy consumption, making use of acoustic and thermal insulation, natural daylight and ventilation and understanding the importance of conserving limited natural resources and minimising consumption. Recycling, renewable energy, redevelopment of existing buildings, limiting exposure to sun and wind and reducing pollution are also covered.
The booklet is available from the Broads Authority’s office at 18 Colegate, Norwich, NR3 1BQ, and will be downloadable from this website.
29/06/2006
