1. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Sustainable Urban Architecture:
urban design and community
Professor Tim Heath
University of Nottingham
2. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
âThe Life and Death of Sustainability:
long live contextual sensitivismâ
3. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
What is the motivation?The ChallengeâŚ
We are now very aware of the causes and
consequences of global climate change and
the impact upon this of our cities, buildings and
their construction:
⢠buildings and their operations account for
over 40 per cent of worldwide carbon
emissions;
⢠all of those involved in the procurement and
operation of buildings have a significant role
to play in ensuring we design and operate
greener more energy efficient buildings.
4. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Climate ChangeâŚ
For a number of years, the Earthâs temperature has been rising
and to limit catastrophic outcomes, the international scientific
community has set a challenging goal of no more than a 2o
Celsius average temperature rise.
To put this into perspective, research has shown that the average
temperature in Alaska has risen by 4oC in the last thirty years.
It currently takes 1.3 years for the earth to
replenish what we take out of it in 1 year!
5. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
The Current
Impact:
6. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
WHY SUSTAINABLE CONTEXTUALLY SENSITIVE
ARCHITECTURE, URBAN DESIGN &
COMMUNITIES?
In 1900, just 10% of the worldâs population
lived in cities, today, in little over a hundred
years this has risen to over 50% and is
estimated to reach 75% by 2050.
7. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
How Fast Cities are Growing (persons per hour)
Source: Burdett & Sudjic (2011)
Living in the Endless City
+10
+30
+50
8. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
The life of sustainability!
The World Commission on Environment and Developmentâs
(WCED) Bruntland Commission definition of sustainable
development in the paper Our Common Future is the most
frequently cited definition of the concept:
âSustainable development is the kind of development that
meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.â
(WCED, 1987)
How many of us have quoted this in our lectures, papers, etc.?
9. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
The life of sustainability!
The first known European use of the word sustainability
(German: Nachhaltigkeit) occurred in 1713 in the book
Sylvicultura Oeconomica by German forester and scientist
Hans Carl von Carlowitz. Later, French and English foresters
adopted the practice of planting trees as a path to "sustained-
yield forestryâ.
The word âsustainabilityâ was first used in the context of
man's future in 1972, in a British book, Blueprint for Survival.
10. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
The SituationâŚ
âŚthe life and death of sustainability!
We regularly hear terms like âgreenâ, âecoâ, âenergy-efficientâ,
âsustainableâ, âlow-carbonâ, and âlow-energyâ, etc.
In many cases, however, the reality is a âmarketing ployâ with
little substance or evidence to back up the use of these terms.
Hopefully, these terms will soon become redundant and we will
just need to use words like âdesignedâ or âplannedâ to describe
buildings, communities or cities that are contextually responsible
and have not just a neutral but a positive impact on society and
our planet.
11. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Whilst countries, leaders and politicians fight, we
need actions that the public can understand.
The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Paris
12. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Whilst countries, leaders and politicians fight, we
need actions that the public can understand.
2016: âŚUK Brexit; President-elect Donald Trump; China; etc.; etc.; etc.
13. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Whilst the debate and arguments continue, we
desperately need 7.4 billion âlittle footstepsâ.
14. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
The SituationâŚ
âŚthe life and death of sustainability!
"Think global, act localâ attributed to Scots town planner
and social activist Patrick Geddes (Cities in Evolution, 1915)
The first use of the phrase in an environmental context is
disputed. Some say it was coined by David Brower (The Daily
Telegraph, 8 Nov. 2000) founder of Friends of the Earth as a
slogan when it was founded in 1969.
15. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
The SituationâŚ
âŚthe life and death of sustainability!
Traditionally a top down approach:
International Organisations (1992 United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change; Kyoto Protocol 1997;
The Government (politician)
The Official (urban planner)
The Developer (investor)
The Professional (architect, engineer, etc.)
The Community (user)
Time for a re-think: âThink local, act local, impact globalâ
16. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
The SituationâŚ
âŚthe life and death of sustainability!
âŚlong live contextual sensitivism!
(âŚis this any easier to understand than âsustainabilityâ?)
Contextual: adjective defined as relating to, dependent on (the
âthingsâ around us).
Sensitivism: to be sensitive (responsive to and aware of).
17. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
One of the most important
dimensions of in practice is
understanding the
contexts:
⢠physical;
⢠cultural;
⢠heritage;
⢠social;
⢠economic;
⢠environmental;
⢠microclimate;
⢠infrastructure;
⢠time;
⢠etc.
Dalston Area Action Plan, London
Defining âContextâ:
18. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Importance of
Research:
Sustainable design
principles should be
established at the outset
of the design process
and should continue
through to the
construction and
commissioning of the
building.
19. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
7 homes designed and constructed with innovation and flexibility to allow
testing of methods of construction, energy efficient design and renewable
energy systems.
Creative Energy Homes Project, Nottingham, UK
20. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
The Creative Energy
Homes Project showcases
innovative energy efficient
homes of the future.
The project aims to
stimulate sustainable
design ideas and promote
new ways of providing
affordable,
environmentally
sustainable housing that
are innovative in their
design.
Creative Energy Homes Project, Nottingham, UK
21. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
BASF house â 3 key design criteria
to inform the design process:
1. house had to be energy efficient
and it is designed to achieve an
annual heating load of 12.5
kWh/m2;
2. materials had to be affordable
and enable a fast construction
method requiring low-skilled
contractors.
3. house had to be designed so that
it could be easily reproduced as a
terrace or as a multi-storey
solution.
BASF House, Nottingham, UK
22. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
A lot of the housing
stock we will be living
in at the middle of the
21st century is already
built and was built
before we became
aware of the need to
be more
environmentally aware.
In 2050, 25 million
existing UK homes will
still account for
between 70 and 90%
of the housing stock.
E-ON House (1930s house), Nottingham, UK
23. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), London
⢠UKâs largest mixed use sustainable
community.
⢠Energy: 81% reduction in energy use for
heating, 45% reduction in electricity use
(compared to local average).
⢠Transport: 64% reduction in car mileage
(compared to national average).
⢠Water: 58% reduction in water use 72
litres/person/day (compared to local
average).
⢠Waste: 60% waste recycled.
24. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Approach to (Holistic) Design:
1. Analyse the context(s);
2. Understand the user(s);
3. Design to maximise all potential natural
resources;
4. Maximise integration of renewable resources;
5. Introduce relevant technologies;
6. Design for flexibility and adaptability;
7. Cradle to cradle approach to materials;
8. Consider construction methods;
9. Prepare building management plan;
10. Undertake life-cycle analysis and post
occupancy analysis.
25. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Design Tools + Computer Technologies
26. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Site Planning
27. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Thermal Design Strategies
28. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Ventilation Design
30. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
DEFINING THE CONTEXTUALLY SENSITIVE
COMMUNITY...
âThe symbiotic relationship between humanity and
earth that facilitates social, economical, political,
cultural and environmental prosperity, so that
quality of life, efficiency and fairness is continually
enhanced, whilst simultaneously ensuring all forms
of life and resources on earth may be sustained for
the enjoyment and creativity of future generations.â
31. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
SO WHAT ARE THE ISSUES
EFFECTING CONTEXTUALLY
SENSITIVE COMMUNITIES?
âŚneed for an holistic approach!
32. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
A Sustainable
Community is well
organised and
efficient in terms of
its:
⢠Governance;
⢠Transport;
⢠Services;
⢠Environmental
factors;
⢠Equality;
⢠Economy;
⢠Housing; and
⢠Social aspects.
33. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
KEY ISSUES/CHALLENGES OF COMMUNITIES
The 4 requirements of the âurban systemâ are the resources which provide
the building blocks and potential for different forms of land use, which
become the outputs. For the system to be sustained it requires an efficient
transport/communication network to manage the inputs and outputs. All of
which is powered by energy.
1. Resources
2. Land Use
3. Transport / Communication
4. Energy
34. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
ANALYSING CONTEXT SENSITIVE URBANISM
Each main input can be broken down into 5 sub-issues:
1. Social
2. Economic
3. Political
4. Environmental
5. Cultural
35. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
What Criteria can we use to Design
and Assess a Contextually Sensitive
Community?
36. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠An holistic measurement of environmental, social and
economic sustainability;
⢠A framework for collaboration on key masterplan issues.
BREEAM Communities Assessment Model
37. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
BREEAM CommunitiesâŚ
Addresses global challenges through masterplanning:
38. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
BREEAM Communities Categories
Five Categories and 40 Assessment Issues:
1. Governance
2. Social and Economic Well-being
2.1 Social Wellbeing
2.2 Local Economy
2.3 Environmental Conditions
3. Resources and Energy
4. Land Use and Ecology
5. Transport and Movement
39. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
BREEAM Communities Assessment
Five Categories and 40 Assessment Issues each with an individual weighting:
40. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen (and Bo01), MalmĂś, Sweden
175 hectare artificial island
of Västra Hamnen (Western
Harbour) was bought by the
Municipality of MalmĂś in
1996, with the idea of
developing an entirely new
eco-district.
Västra Hamnen is now a
sustainable urban
development with the inner
city as its model with
density and greenness as
key words.
Bo01
41. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
The regeneration of the former
industrial area, is an important
part of MalmĂśâs drive for
sustainable city development.
Over the last 10 years, it has been
transformed from a polluted
industrial area to an environment-
conscious district with homes,
businesses and recreational areas
- an area for knowledge and
sustainable living.
42. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
MalmĂś University opened its
campus in 1998.
European home fair Bo01
was held in 2001.
The Masthusen area will be a
central living and working
destination.
It will include 700 residential
units, 70,000 m2 of offices,
and 20,000 m2 of shops and
services.
43. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
⢠Network of narrow streets and lanes designed to provide shelter from
the prevailing winds and to reflect the traditional Malmo streets.
44. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
The Masthusen development includes the following sustainability attributes:
⢠mixed-use community
providing housing,
offices, retail and
education facilities;
⢠range of tenures and
occupational uses,
creating vibrancy and
supporting existing and
new small businesses
and restaurants.
45. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
⢠sustainable building
materials;
⢠strong emphasis on
designing the area to be
adaptable to the impacts
of climate change;
⢠vehicle-free transport
solutions, with extensive
fast and safe cycle paths
that are well connected
to the rest of the City of
MalmĂś.
46. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
⢠reduced building
energy use;
⢠strong focus on
urban biodiversity
providing places for
wildlife and
ecologically suitable
habitats.
47. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
48. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
49. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
50. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
âBREEAM
Communities
provided us with an
ideal opportunity to
review how we
develop sustainable
communities in
Sweden.â
Anders Nilsson
(Architect & BREEAM Assessor)
51. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Masthusen, MalmĂś, Sweden
52. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
British Council/Newton Fund Workshop â
University of Nottingham and UII (Dec 2016)
53. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Why is âcommunityâ important?
⢠Communities meet deep human needs for integration, identity, and
mutual support.
⢠Architects and planners want to reconstruct cities in ways that would
revive local communities. Promote social inclusion and local
participation.
⢠Acting responsibly, equitably and participating in community life
brings about well-being:
â âhappinessâ, âquality of lifeâ, âlife satisfactionâ
â healthy (including physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health).
⢠Well-being is a âbalance of social, economic and environmental health
in individual and community life that engenders respect from others
and the environmentâ (Dolan et al. 2006).
54. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Context Sensitive / Low Carbon Communities
⢠UK Government Policy defines âsustainableâ communities as
âplaces where people want to live and work, now and in the future.
They meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are
sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of
life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and
offer equality of opportunity and good services for all.â
⢠Low-carbon communities are defined as âforms of co-operation
and collaboration that aim to reduce the carbon intensity of their
membersâ lifestyles by providing amenable contexts and
mechanisms that encourage behaviour change.â
55. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Located in BjÜrkhagen;
⢠10 minute walk to
subway and local
amenities;
⢠15 minute journey to
city centre;
⢠adjacent to Nacka nature
reserve.
⢠It is a sustainable
community comprising:
â˘44 homes;
â˘placed in five
âgardensâ;
â˘and a common house.
Low Carbon Community:
UnderstenshĂśjden - Stockholm
56. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
UnderstenshĂśjden - Stockholm
57. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Began in 1989 with an
architecture student attending a
lecture on ecological living
⢠Student relayed the story and
eventually it attracted
significant interest.
⢠All interested parties created
the Ecological Development in
BjĂśrkhagen association.
⢠A shortlist of potential residents
was created, these residents
forming groups.
⢠Potential residents set up a series of
research groups investigating issues
such as:
⢠Health and home (such as materials,
community functioning etc.);
⢠Financing;
⢠Sustainability (ecological measures,
renewable technologies, planning
etc);
⢠In summary, it was a resident driven
programme that took a bottom up
approach where the client had
extensive input.
UnderstenshĂśjden - Stockholm
58. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠the natural landscape (ecology of the habitat) was
to be disturbed as little as possible.
Prerequisite:
59. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Great care taken positioning the
houses on the site so as to
minimise the damage or
upheaval of existing trees and
plants.
⢠Paths around the site are
permeable, that is they allow
water to pass through them:
⢠cuts down the need for
extensive surface drainage
commonly associated with
pavements;
⢠maintains the water table
whereby water naturally goes
to ground;
⢠surface does not flood or
require any special design flow
calculations - that is it will not
overburden any piped drainage
system.
Footprint
60. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Wildlife corridors were
encouraged⌠fruit
trees and bushes were
planted to encourage
the integration of
wildlife such as elk and
reindeer, as well as
decreasing exposure
to the elements
through the reduction
of wind impact.
⢠The âsiteâ is therefore a
sanctuary for wildlife
amidst human activity.
Integration into existing
landscape
61. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠The 'Common House'. Used
as a central community
forum for meetings,
parties, playroom.
⢠It has a:
⢠laundry (minimises
number of washing
machines / tumble driers
purchased...also provides
drying facilities and forum
for people to meet);
⢠office;
⢠large shared kitchen for
catering;
⢠wood-working shop.
Community infrastructure â the âCommon Houseâ
62. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠The safe play of
children was an
integral part of the
ethos behind this
sustainable
community.
⢠The tree house is
overlooked by
several houses and
provides a strong
focus for child play.
Children - Play
63. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Throughout the project, particular
attention was paid to aesthetics:
⢠Glazing was a top priority with double
glazed wooden multi-pane windows
adding to the attractiveness and
quality of light entering each room
⢠Light penetration was optimised
through careful design of glazing area.
⢠Ceilings were specified at 2.7m to
provide a sense of space and make the
space feel lighter.
⢠No direct solar protection was
designed in. Protection is via the
deciduous trees within the natural
habitat letting sunlight in during
winter and omitting it during summer.
Aesthetics
64. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Choice of materials was
exceptionally important:
⢠All buildings were timber
framed and well insulated
using wood cellulose allowing
good vapour permeability.
⢠Cellulose coupled with an
adequate ventilation strategy
in order to reduce moisture
movement through the
building fabric.
⢠Bathrooms are enclosed in
brick thus acting as a good
humidity barrier and
temperature regulator
(thermal mass).
Materiality
65. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠External wood treated with
ferrous sulphate-based
paint.
⢠Roofing is traditional terra-
cotta tiles.
⢠Interior paint treatments
chosen to ensure minimum
environmental.
⢠Woodwork is treated with
linseed oil-based paints.
⢠Floors are made of fir and
coated in either lye and soap
or oil. All wet areas are tiled.
⢠Materials chosen to have
minimum impact on the
environment.
Materiality
66. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Each roof is
equipped with 7.5m2
of solar thermal
array for supplying
hot water.
⢠The community has
several heat sources
including:
⢠district heating
⢠central furnace
(biomass) heating.
⢠electric heating.
⢠solar thermal.
Solar thermal
67. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Sweden extensively uses
district heating to heat
homes and other sectors.
⢠The large-scale housing
surrounding the site taps
into this.
⢠Additionally, the
construction of these large,
multi-unit housing
promotes energy efficiency
by minimising external skin
construction and quantity
of building materials.
Surrounding neighbourhood â district heating
68. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Large fully enclosed storage
area.
⢠Separated into âroomsâ for:
⢠Recycled elements such as
paper, glass, plastics, card.
⢠Materials that cannot be
recycled.
⢠Reuse / free-cycling â
includes toys, books, games
etc.
⢠Organic waste is composted
in compost bins situated
close to each dwelling.
Recycling / re-use / free-
cycling
69. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
⢠Car sharing
established within
community.
⢠2 common cars
shared on a booking
basis.
⢠Very close to public
transport
infrastructure that
takes residents
direct to Stockholm.
Public transportation and
car pooling
UnderstenshĂśjden - Stockholm
70. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
Importantly letâs remember to be:
âŚâholisticâ in our approach;
âŚsensitive to our context(s); and
âŚremember the importance of a âbottom-up
approachâ.
71. Environmental Physics & Design
Research Group
Energy & Sustainability Research Division
As well as the bigger picture, letâs remember to:
âThink local, act local, impact globalâ
âŚlittle steps can lead to great journeys!
Thank You
Professor Tim Heath