by Nerissa Allen | 02 July 2024, 15:01

“Create a home that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also constructed sustainably, aiming for a positive impact on our climate, environment, and society.”

Building your own home is not just about personal satisfaction; it's about taking responsibility for the environment. Homes in the UK currently consume about 30% of all energy, and this percentage is only increasing. However, building a house that doesn't rely on fossil fuels is entirely feasible with current technology. By choosing to self-build and build green, you're not just meeting your needs but actively contributing to a more sustainable future. More and more people like you are recognising the shortcomings of mass-produced housing and are demanding well-designed, better-equipped, and more energy-efficient homes than the market offers. The financial benefits of self-building and building green can provide a sense of security and confidence in your investment, ensuring a stable and promising future.

The UK Government's Commitment to Sustainability

The UK government aims to reduce all direct emissions from public sector buildings by 50% and 75% by 2032 and 2037, respectively, against a 2017 baseline. All UK emissions are to reach net zero by 2050. The construction industry is believed to be the most contributing factor to emissions. The buildings and construction sector are by far the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for a staggering 37% of global emissions.

The environmental crisis and the role of construction and housing in reducing its impact are pressing issues requiring urgent action. Even if we halt further emissions, temperatures will continue to rise. It is crucial to construct zero-emissions buildings while also considering the resources used to transport food and moderating our use of cars. Sustainable building is essential, but it must be viewed in the context of our overall lifestyles.

So check out this spacious and cosy retirement home in Wiltshire below. It is a self-build project by Greenheart in collaboration with Passivhaus. The external cladding is Siberian Larch with pre-patinated Zinc on one wall. The roof is made of reclaimed double Roman tiles and Zinc. The house features Oak floors and doors, white walls, modern fittings, and lots of natural light, making it feel spacious and homely.

The reused double Roman tiles are durable and offer long-term sustainability. The house is well-lit, airy, and well-insulated, requiring minimal heating in winter and benefiting from natural light and fresh air in the summer through its open sliding door design. This design ensures a comfortable and relaxing living environment, no matter the season, providing a sense of tranquillity and peace of mind.

The construction took seven months as a design-and-build project with a fixed price. The house is well-insulated with WARMCEL in the walls and Kingspan Kooltherm in the warm roof. It has a timber frame with some steel and features windows and doors from Ideal Combi’s Futura+ range. They also installed a Brink Renvent MVHR system and achieved good air tightness (2 air changes per hour).

New Build Contemporary Level Access Retirement Home in Quemerford, Calne, Wiltshire. - Greenheart

The project incorporates sustainable materials to minimise waste and energy consumption, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting a healthier planet.

Benefits of Sustainable Building

Some potential benefits of sustainable building approaches include:

Reducing the use of natural resources: This involves reducing fuel consumption for heating, generating electricity for lighting and power, materials and energy needed for manufacturing and transporting construction materials, and water for drinking, bathing, and waste disposal.

Conserving artificial resources: Ensuring that buildings have a long, useful life, are constructed to last, and can adapt to changing needs and expectations.

Building social capital: Enabling people to organise and collaborate effectively within the system.

Modern construction materials such as adhesives, mastics, and plastic additives may pose health risks, but they can be avoided in sustainable buildings, which are designed to be long-lasting and adaptable. Residents of sustainable communities should actively manage their homes for long-term maintenance.

Sustainable construction involves managing energy use, resource consumption, and ecology, aiming for a healthier and more fulfilling way of living. It is therefore; by promoting sustainable building, we can enjoy the benefits of constructing green homes, including:

• Providing greater comfort

• Reducing running costs

• Reducing the need for maintenance

• Creating less pollution and using fewer scarce resources such as fuel, materials, and water

• Generating less waste

• Offering healthy living environments

• Lasting longer and adapting to changing needs and expectations

• Supporting sustainable communities

Encouraging Sustainable Building Practices—How do we do it?

Leading by example is one of the most effective ways to encourage others to live sustainably. I make eco-friendly choices, such as carrying reusable cups and straws to avoid waste, saving organic food scraps to compost, using cloth instead of kitchen roll paper, using reusable, sustainable shopping bags, and recycling.

In the construction industry, using renewable and recyclable materials to build homes reduces energy consumption, minimises on-site waste, and safeguards natural habitats before, during, and after construction.

By embracing self-building and green construction, individuals can significantly reduce their environmental footprint while enjoying the many benefits of a sustainable lifestyle. Building green is not just an option; it's a responsibility we owe to ourselves and future generations.

So here at 369 CUG, we empower individuals to construct their own eco-homes, fostering sustainable living through lasting, environmentally conscious designs.

Conclusion

Building your own home is a unique opportunity to create a space that reflects your values and meets your needs. By choosing to build green, you're making a powerful statement about the kind of future you want to see. The benefits of sustainable building are numerous and far-reaching, from reducing your environmental impact to creating healthier living spaces. As we face the challenges of climate change and resource depletion, sustainable construction offers a viable and necessary path forward. Embrace the opportunity to build a better future, one eco-friendly home at a time.

Reference: The Green Self-Build Book by Jon Broome

Greenheart, New Build Contemporary Level Access Retirement Home https://greenheartuk.com/project/quemerford/ [accessed 28 June 2024]