According to a recent investigation, Birmingham City Council is still yet to account for or indeed knows, how it will reach its 60% carbon emissions reduction targets for 2026, so it was heartening to read about this particular property, which has become a shining, energy efficient LED beacon, in the heart of the Midlands. Meeting the stringent requirements of Level 6 of the UK Code for Sustainable Homes it is an eco-house that is set to produce at least as much energy as it consumes.
This text book example of energy efficiency has even been built around an existing house. The ground-breaking zero carbon property was designed by John Christophers of Associated Architects as a family home and is now occupied as one. An extension of the original redbrick Victorian house, the property has been converted from a 2-bedroom semi-detached property, into a 4-bedroom dwelling with a modern studio loft.
The house was designed specifically to integrate with its surroundings and takes into account the neighbouring architecture. As well as extending outwards, it extends upwards to catch the sun for theSolar PV installation that would otherwise have been blocked by a taller neighbouring property. Originally built in 1840 the old brick work has rightly been preserved, as well as the beautiful mature Ash trees in the garden.
Featured in The Times and The New York Times, amongst many other publications, the property has been celebrated as a shining example of sustainable housing and home energy efficiency. It proudly boasts the achievement of being seven years ahead of the government target of 2016 for all homes to be carbon neutral.
It is, without a doubt, a magnificent and inspiring example of sustainability in the UK. Hopefully this kind of house will be seen more frequently throughout the country, especially with the Green Deal set to start in October. An Energy Assessors dream ,this property would undoubtedly also achieve the highest Residential EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of A++. Lets hope it inspires Birmingham City Council to pull their ‘green’ finger out and start making much needed headway in their mission to cut out the carbon.
Paul Patane for Just EPC
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