London's showcase of sustainable living

[M II A II R II K]

London's showcase of sustainable living


July 24, 2012

By Kaid Benfield

Read More: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kb...ld%27s+Blog%29

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Created by the international sustainability firm BioRegional, the exhibit One Planet Living is being staged at the eco-village BedZED, one of the most interesting and innovative subsidized housing projects one is likely to see anywhere.

- “BedZED was the UK’s first large-scale mixed use sustainable community, with 100 homes, office space for around 100 workers and community facilities. Completed in 2002, BedZED is still the inspiration for low carbon neighbourhoods and our One Planet Communities across the world.

- “BedZED was developed as a partnership between BioRegional, housing association Peabody and architects ZEDfactory. Residents at BedZED can reduce the carbon emissions of their whole lifestyle by nearly 50%, including energy use in the home, transport and embodied carbon in food and consumer goods. BedZED demonstrates that the 80-90% carbon reductions needed in Europe can be achieved cost effectively, but only if government and business also reduce carbon emissions from services and products.

- “Total energy use in the homes is 60% less than for average homes in the local area, photovoltaics supply around 20% of electricity, and a planned new biomass energy plant and off-site renewable energy will mean zero carbon emissions from energy use in the future.”

- “Where possible, BedZED was built from natural, recycled or reclaimed materials. All wood was approved by the Forest Stewardship Council or comparable internationally recognised environmental organisations, ensuring that it was sustainably sourced.

- “Buildings are constructed from thermally massive materials that store heat during warm conditions and release heat at cooler times. The houses are arranged in south facing terraces to maximise heat gain from the sun, known as passive solar gain.”

- According to the Borough's website, the detailed plans include proposals for significant green revitalization, including "new eco-friendly homes, more shops, leisure and community facilities, jobs, sustainable transport and pedestrian/ cycle initiatives, improved networks and open spaces." The plan includes green retrofits of existing homes as well as environmental standards for new ones, in order to "enjoy an excellent way of life while using only our fair share of the earth's resources."

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BedZED's architecture seems similar to the sort of adaptive reuse of old factories we see in the US, but with the addition of some whimsical shapes and brightly colored utility features that on a different scale evoke those of the Centre Pompidou in Paris.











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