Building sustainable houses – isn’t that what we always used to do?
With over 65,000 visitors flocking to this week’s Ecobuild event; manufacturers vying with each other to present the most eco-friendly products; and interest groups for concrete, steel and wood battling it out as to which is the greenest building material, you’d be forgiven for thinking that sustainable construction is a modern concept.
Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Ever since people started building dwellings, the materials and methods they have used have largely been sustainable – through sheer necessity. It is our ability to build non-sustainably that is, in fact, a fairly recent phenomenon.
Now that we are gradually remembering the value of consuming less energy and conserving resources, a lot of ancient building methods are being looked at afresh, and are being used in the new-build or refurbishment of modern houses. Here are some examples of historic building materials and methods that fell out of favour, but are now enjoying a comeback:
Sheep Wool Insulation
Mongolian nomads traditionally used felted sheep wool pads to insulate their yurt dwellings. Now, sheep wool insulation is being reintroduced to the UK residential sector for use in cavity walls and ceilings. Being naturally breathable, it absorbs moisture during cold weather to help keep a house warm, and releases moisture during the summer to cool it down.
Second, Nature also has good information.
Rammed Earth Construction
Rammed earth construction is undergoing a renaissance, with the Wise Project boasting the UK’s highest free-standing, load-bearing rammed earth walls at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynleth, Wales. Michael Thompson (@RammedEarthOrg on Twitter) is a knowledgeable enthusiast trying to raise awareness of this ancient building method in the UK. Read more on rammed earth Housing here
europes-biggest-straw bale building
Several years ago, the eco-village Sieben Linden in Germany unveiled houses built almost entirely with straw bales, clay and timber. The project, which included a three-storey apartment block, won a World Habitat Award for its innovative use of this historic construction method. Since then, several straw bale houses have been built in the UK and Ireland. According to Brian Waite, who has patented his own straw bale house design, the UK alone produces 4 million tonnes of surplus straw every year – enough to build 250,000 homes.
More Info
Straw Bale house info here
Focus is also shifting onto the renewed use of natural hydraulic lime. Several manufacturers now specialise in the production of traditional lime renders, grouts, paints and plasters that let the walls breathe. This is essential for many conservation projects, but lime renders are also increasingly used in new-build housing – to form Part L-friendly insulating render systems, for example.
Further reading Here and here
Living Roofs
Living roofs were commonplace all over the world for thousands of years, in the form of simple turf or sod structures. Green roofs are now growing on many UK houses and commercial buildings again, thanks to their sustainable credentials: rainwater retention, improved insulation values, reduced urban heat island effect, biodiversity and aesthetics. People like Dusty Gedge (@greenroofsuk on Twitter) are campaigning successfully for their increased use.
