Living Laboratory Folio
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
The design and technical development of an experimental autarkic demonstration building<br />
Neil Burford<br />
In collaboration with:<br />
David Rodley and Stephen Reynolds (Physics) and Rod Jones (Engineering), University of Dundee<br />
Design and Creative Practice Research <strong>Folio</strong>s<br />
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
1
contents<br />
300 word summary 6<br />
factual information 8<br />
overview of outcomes 9<br />
research context 11<br />
research methodology 16<br />
details of outcomes<br />
a. design and technical outcomes 19<br />
b. cultural outcomes 59<br />
dissemination 63<br />
collaborations 65<br />
references 66<br />
appendices:<br />
a. drawings i<br />
b. passive house calculations ii<br />
c. MSc Dissertation Project Renewable System iii<br />
1<br />
image cover page:<br />
View of the Studio from the entrance space to the Botanics, The reflections in the south window<br />
reveal the Studio’s character that mediaties between the existing industrial glass house and the<br />
triangular geometry of the award winning visitor centre by Jack Fulton (circa 1982).<br />
1<br />
image page 1:<br />
The ‘strangely familar’: the crystalline geometry and matt black horizontal anthracite zinc finish<br />
encapsulate the Studio’s ‘object qualities’. Form, spaces and material are a direct and dialectical<br />
response to its environmental conditions and landscape with its presence alluding to an ‘erratic<br />
boulder’.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
2
included in portfolio<br />
The following outputs contribute to the portfolio:<br />
Paper 1: Burford, Reynolds, Rodley & Jones, Macro Micro Studio: A Prototype Energy<br />
Autonomous <strong>Laboratory</strong>, Sustainability 2015, 7, 1-x manuscripts; doi:10.3390/su70x000x,<br />
Zurich (Ref 3*)<br />
Paper 2: Burford & Robertson, 2016. Prototype Zero Energy Studio: A research-led, studentcentred<br />
live build project: Case Study, Vol. Eight – Issues 1 and 2 – April 2016 | Issues | BROOKES<br />
eJOURNAL OF LEARNING AND TEACHING http://bejlt.brookes.ac.uk/issue/volume-eightissue-one/.<br />
Paper 3: Reynolds, S., Rodley, D., and Burford, N.K., Prototype Energy Autonomous Studio<br />
in Dundee, Scotland SEEP 2013 - 6th International Conference on Sustainable Energy and<br />
Environmental Protection: Proceedings. Krope, J., Olabi, A. G. & Goričanec, D. (eds.). Maribor:<br />
University of Maribor, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, p. 168-174<br />
1<br />
image page 4:<br />
Design investigations examining in parallel, formal, spatial, material and energy considerations.<br />
Drawn, visualisations, models and fullsize mock-ups were used to test concepts and qualities in<br />
detail. This early 1:1 mock up of the south elevation explored relationships between the prismatic<br />
geometry, window openings, cladding and inset photovoltaic array.<br />
3
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
4
5
summary (300 words)<br />
Situated in the public Botanical Gardens of Dundee the ‘living laboratory’ provides a unique<br />
opportunity to visit, work, study and experience inspirational space within a sustainable<br />
energy-self-sufficient building.<br />
This practice-based research project arose from a cross-disciplinary collaboration (Burford:<br />
Architecture, Rodley & Reynolds: Physics, Jones: Engineering) and from previous work<br />
investigating theoretical approaches to energy autarky. The process began in 2011 and was<br />
conceived as an educational vehicle in sustainable design and a means of testing the viability<br />
of achieving whole-life net zero-carbon energy self-sufficiency in a self-build experimental<br />
architecture.<br />
The <strong>Living</strong>-<strong>Laboratory</strong> is a contemporary addition to the historical context of experimental<br />
buildings that test design, aesthetics and performance of environmentally responsive<br />
architecture and the role of renewable technologies. This project works at the intersection of<br />
these challenges providing a facility for assessing and communicating the performance and<br />
impact of passive environmental design, carbon-negative renewable generating technologies,<br />
power storage and human spatial-environmental interactions.<br />
The overarching research question became:<br />
How can we design future self-sufficient buildings to help save the planet’s valuable<br />
resources and how can this be achieved within a northern regional climatic and cultural<br />
context?<br />
The project was progressed through two parallel processes:<br />
• Addressing the design and technical challenges of integrating spatial, material,<br />
constructional and zero-carbon energy systems;<br />
• Raising awareness of social and technical environmental issues through public<br />
engagement and collaboration across technical colleges university, industry and<br />
statutory bodies.<br />
Funded by proof-of-concept, creative industry, charitable trust and in-kind industry<br />
contributions, the project has two distinct outcomes:<br />
• An environmental testbed providing an ongoing platform for assessing passive design,<br />
sustainable technologies, monitoring environmental performance and investigating<br />
people/spatial/environmental interactions.<br />
• A cultural engagement vehicle to upskill industry in sustainable construction<br />
practices, upscale regional sustainable technologies, and initiate debate on the role<br />
that architecture, people, energy conservation and ecology have in addressing the<br />
climate crisis.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
6
7
factual information<br />
The project has been supported through a portfolio of public and private investment including<br />
Creative Scotland Innovation Award, Scottish Funding Council Interface Award(s), Forestry<br />
Commission Scotland Small Grant, Walter Craig Charitable Trust, Friends of the Botanics<br />
funding and in-kind contributions from industry (included labour, materials, specialised<br />
equipment and components) circa £150,000.<br />
The project has been exhibited in the RSA New Contemporaries, winner DIA Small Projects<br />
Award 2016 and runner-up Wood Awards, Manchester 2016. The work has been cited<br />
internationally (Edwards, Pitts, Akbar, Patino-Cambeiro, Chin) and has featured extensively in<br />
industry trade literature, social media and design press, BBC TV and radio broadcasts and in<br />
local newspapers. Various online and web publication (bdonline, vimeo, inhabitat, plusmood,<br />
homemadedessert), popular press, manufacturers and specifiers product literature.<br />
Keynote addresses have been delivered at: Innovative Timber House Conference, Edinburgh,<br />
2016, Scottish Households Survey Conference, 2016, The Mackintosh Friday Lecture Series<br />
2016. Various Doors Open Day and other public events were held over the course of four years<br />
engaging with a broader non-professional public audience.<br />
A recent initiative in collaboration with the Botanic Garden and Duncan of Jordanstone College<br />
of Art and Design is intended to lead to an application for a UKRI Early Career Research Grant<br />
for an artist in residence post based at the laboratory.<br />
Links to Macro Micro Studio:<br />
Link to Botanic Garden Website:<br />
http://macromicrodundee.wordpress.com/<br />
https://www.facebook.com/MacroMicroStudio?ref=nf&filter=1<br />
https://twitter.com/MMStudio<br />
https://www.dundee.ac.uk/botanic/about/zeroenergylab/<br />
1<br />
1<br />
image page 5:<br />
The ground floor meeting space looking from the south window demonstrates the open nature of<br />
the carefully controlled and seggregated volume, surface aesthetic and limited material pallette.<br />
The spatial configuration was determined by ergonomics, passive solar gain, stack effect and cross<br />
ventilation..<br />
image page 7:<br />
The upper floor office space looking to the community allottments to the west. The window<br />
arrangement responds to the two major spaces each one having a primary and secondary opening<br />
on two elevations: to accommodate views, daylighting and natural ventilation. The opening positions<br />
also follow the circulation route and spatial sequencing directing visitors through the Studio and<br />
drawing attention to the different spaces within the garden.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
8
ief overview of outcomes<br />
The outcomes from this research fall into two areas:<br />
an environmental testbed:<br />
The principle outcome is a loose-fit, real-world social, spatial and environmental laboratory<br />
that provides a unique live/work space for understanding the performance of an ultra-low<br />
embodied energy construction system and ongoing implementation of emerging energy<br />
generation and storage technologies calculated and optimised to achieve self-sufficiency.<br />
It facilitates the simultaneous monitoring of the interaction between people, building and<br />
environment within an integrated material, spatial and technical framework.<br />
a cultural engagement platform:<br />
The facility provides training and knowledge transfer to upskill, upscale and outreach in best<br />
practice for a new generation of ultra-low embodied energy, energy self-sufficient buildings.<br />
It provides an ongoing platform for engagement across sustainable building practices<br />
with numerous stakeholders including schools, colleges, design professionals and policy<br />
developers, the construction industry and the general public; evidenced in self-authored<br />
papers; inclusion in international exhibitions; national doors open day events; public lectures;<br />
and keynote talks as well as design awards and citations.<br />
1 2<br />
9<br />
images page 9:<br />
Fullsize prototyping and manufacture of the timber frame in the Fulton Structures <strong>Laboratory</strong> in<br />
Civil Engineering. The open panel cassettes were manufactured in the lab using an adaptation of<br />
pressed steel fixings used in the recently developed ITW’s ‘Space-Stud’; a thermally broken wall<br />
system. In collaboration with the Forestry Commission Scotland and Edinburgh Napier’s Forest<br />
Products Research Institute, the panels trialled the use of low-cost small cross section home grown<br />
Scottish Spruce. usually grown for low-grade, non-structural paper pulp and packaging purposes.
1<br />
image page 10:<br />
BBC Scotland Beechgrove Garden Broadcast, August 2014. Jim McColl, presenter of the Beechgrove<br />
Garden is pictured in a feature that discussed the role of the laboratory within the Botanic Gardens<br />
as a public venue raising awareness of the importance of sustainable living practices and selfsufficiency.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
10
esearch context<br />
This research is a collaboration between Architecture, Engineering and Physics and was<br />
driven by the idea of designing an experimental building test-bed as an educational vehicle<br />
for facilitating the near-complete decarbonisation of buildings through the development of<br />
theoretical and practical solutions to achieving autonomy and resource-efficiency in energy,<br />
water and waste.<br />
The work is situated in an area of architectural practice that over the last century has explored<br />
experimental sustainable design and the role of renewable technologies in achieving selfsufficiency<br />
(Burford & Pearson 2013). For example, MIT’s solar projects developed between<br />
1939-1959, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Solar Hemicycle (1943), Louis Khan’s Direct Gain House (1947)<br />
and Werner Sobek’s R128 House (2000), illustrated the distinction between engineering<br />
experimentation and empirically derived architectural solutions in which the spatial concepts<br />
and material grammar have been an intrinsic part of the environmental response. Contemporary<br />
scientific approaches to ultra-low energy buildings undertaken in the 1970’s were largely<br />
engineering focused such as: the DTH Zero Energy House (1974), Philips House (1974-1975) and<br />
Wates House (1976), which subsequently underpinned Passivhaus, the current benchmark for<br />
ultra-low energy design.<br />
The work extends recent academic/industry research collaborations as testing ground and<br />
engagement vehicles designed to stimulate know-how and investment in sustainable and<br />
low-carbon building practices, for example the Building Research Establishment’s Innovation<br />
Park(s) housing and University of Nottingham’s low energy building prototypes.<br />
It is also situated in practices and processes involving community engagement in low energy<br />
self-build (Burford & Robertson 2016), directed through transdisciplinary academic research,<br />
student live-build and community outreach intrinsic to the Solar Decathlon projects, Ghost<br />
Studios, Rural Studios, Neighbourhood Design/Build, Yestermorrow, Studio 804, Vlock Building<br />
Project, Wood Studio and Die Baupiloten. It goes beyond these practices to testing whole-life,<br />
life-cycle net-zero carbon solutions within a novel self-build, architectural framework.<br />
11
1 2 3<br />
4 5 6<br />
7 8 9<br />
images page 12:<br />
1: Solar House 1, MIT, Massachetts, 1939.<br />
2: Solar Hemicycle House, Frank lloyd Wright, 1943.<br />
3: R128 House, Werner Sobek, Stuttgart, 2000<br />
4: DTH Zero Energy House, Torben Esbense, Copenhagen, 1974.<br />
5: Wates House, Peter Bond Associates, Centre for Alternative Technology, Wales, 1976<br />
6: David Wilson House, Creative Energy Homes, University of Nottingham, 1999.<br />
7: Potton Light House, BRE Innovation Park, Watford 2007<br />
8: Stewart Milne Sigma House, BRE Innovation Park, Watford, 2007<br />
9: Lime House, BRE Innovation Park, Ebbw Vale, Wales, BERE Architects, 2011<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
12
esearch context (cont.)<br />
Today, population growth, increased urbanisation and the pursuit of affluent modern<br />
lifestyles have relentlessly increased energy demand across the globe, despite attempts<br />
to reduce consumption and CO 2<br />
emissions in operational energy from buildings. In many<br />
developed countries, sociological shifts have led to the decrease in the size of households<br />
but a corresponding growth in their number, increases in per capita living space, higher<br />
expectations of thermal comfort, and ever expanding demands on electricity grids to satisfy<br />
highly technological lifestyles (Urge-Vorsatz et al., 2013; Beradi, 2016; Grove-Smith et al., 2018<br />
& Millar 2015).<br />
Although significant steps have been made in recent years to reducing emissions in operational<br />
energy from buildings, progress has been slower than expected. The problems are being<br />
exacerbated by anticipated changes to the electrification of building heating, intrinsic<br />
constraints on grid supply, intermittency in renewable generation and peak power demands<br />
being critical factors to overcome to secure energy supply.<br />
Pressures on centrally generated electricity production will become increasingly more onerous<br />
as the focus moves from achieving low and nearly zero-carbon operational energy buildings<br />
(nZEB’s), to near complete decarbonisation through Lifecycle Nearly Zero Energy Buildings<br />
(LC-nZEB’s) by 2045 to 2050 (Groezinger 2014, Musall 2012, Marszal 2010, Kibbert 2012,<br />
Hernandez 2010 & Pless 2010). Reducing CO 2<br />
Emissions from all areas of building construction<br />
and operation and managing people’s energy behaviour within them is paramount to mitigating<br />
climate change and facilitating future low-carbon sustainable communities (Grove-Smith et<br />
al., 2018).<br />
This research addresses a number of pertinent and timely issues:<br />
• The need to test solutions for the decarbonisation of buildings holistically which<br />
relies first and foremost on demand reduction through improvements in building<br />
design, fabric and efficient services and through design and technical systems that<br />
encourage individuals to reduce their consumption of energy and conserve scarce<br />
resources.<br />
• The need to raise public awareness of how people and the built environment impact<br />
climate change and the urgent requirement to accelerate action in CO 2<br />
emissions<br />
reductions in and via buildings by engaging the professions, construction industry,<br />
educational sectors and society more broadly.<br />
13<br />
1<br />
image page 14:<br />
Interior view of the main spaces depicting single storey, two storey and three storey height volumes<br />
that govern the spatial complexity of the interior and internal air flows. The design addresses one of the<br />
challenges of how to make a small space ‘feel large, and spatially rich’. A simple material pallette was<br />
chosen to distinguish the shell from the interior compnents (mezzanine, kitchen, built-in furniture and<br />
stair components). The exposed insulating concrete floor/epoxy screed provide active thermal mass..
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
14
questions, aims and objectives<br />
The initial research focused on developing a design framework for a self-sustaining offgrid<br />
building demonstrator as a trans-disciplinary self-build project with the design and<br />
construction being undertaken with Masters level students in architecture, engineering and<br />
physics. Through a process of iteration the framework and method were subsequently refined<br />
to a grid-tied scenario and a more viable real-world approach involving various stakeholders in<br />
collaborating in the R+D process and providing a facility for engagement within wider society<br />
through its educational outcomes.<br />
The research question was subsequently defined as:<br />
How can we design future self-sufficient buildings to help save the planet’s valuable<br />
resources and how can this be achieved within a northern regional climatic and cultural<br />
context?<br />
During the four years of developing the project, the research aims were re-evaluated and<br />
refined as the context and design requirements became better understood. A number of<br />
advanced issues were identified as being pertinent to the transitioning to nearly zero emission<br />
buildings:<br />
1. To position environmental aesthetics, spatial quality and technical performance at<br />
the forefront of sustainable design practice and by using the interrelated position<br />
of the <strong>Laboratory</strong> within Dundee Botanic Gardens as a window onto world ecology,<br />
stimulate creativity, community and economy.<br />
2. To understand the design principles and efficacy of a grid-tied, net-zero low-energy<br />
life-cycle building (LC-nZEB) that integrates carbon negative LZCGTs, medium-scale<br />
power storage, energy management and predictive controls.<br />
3. To provide an integrated technical platform within which real-world / real-time<br />
interfaces between the building, a local decentralised micro-grid, user and<br />
environment can be studied, enabling these more complex systems to be understood<br />
and managed.<br />
A detailed overview and analysis of the research, design and technical development process<br />
can be found in Burford, Jones, Reynolds & Rodley, 2016: Macro Micro Studio: A Prototype<br />
Energy Autonomous <strong>Laboratory</strong>, Sustainability 2016, 8, x, MDPI, Zurich, [Available at: https://<br />
www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/8/6/500/pdf.].<br />
15
esearch methodology<br />
The research adopted a mixed-methods approach with the design process forming a major<br />
part of the research method and was undertaken primarily within the Macro Micro Studio,<br />
an M.Arch. sustainable design unit lead by Burford and Thurrott at the University of Dundee.<br />
Design decisions were informed by quantitative data generated through interdisciplinary<br />
MSc projects in Physics (Rodley and Reynolds) and Engineering (Jones). The design also<br />
provided the means by which data was generated for analysis allowing aesthetic, spatial,<br />
programmatic, material, environmental technical systems and sociological interactions to<br />
be considered within a holistic ecological narrative and design framework. In light of this<br />
inherent subjectivity, alternative design solutions were tested against specific quantifiable<br />
measures to give resistance to the decision-making process: this included testing specific<br />
spatial, programmatic and material options against aspects such as form factor, passive<br />
environmental performance, aesthetic and functional integration of renewable technologies<br />
and formal responses to the landscape context. The scope of the research was developed<br />
in collaboration with industry stakeholders and specialist consultants. This focused where<br />
possible on encompassing existing and new developments in sustainable construction<br />
systems, balancing concepts for the renewable energy technologies and integration of other<br />
technologies adopted to reduce reliance on external resources. As a practice-based project<br />
the methodology has ranged across speculative, planned, reflective and responsive and has<br />
evolved as the project has progressed and the research context and objectives have become<br />
clearer and more focused (Table 1).<br />
1<br />
image page 16:<br />
An early design team presentation to stakeholders t the Botanic Gardens..<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
16
esearch methodology (cont.)<br />
Aims Phase Objective Method Image<br />
Ref.<br />
1+2 (A)<br />
Conceptual<br />
Develop a formal, spatial, and<br />
technical design for a LC-nZEB<br />
demonstrator building that<br />
will enable understanding of<br />
environmental and occupant<br />
behaviour in relation to<br />
resource-use and life-cycle<br />
CO 2<br />
emissions reductions<br />
Develop the cultural and<br />
educational engagement<br />
activities to enable knowledge<br />
transfer between university,<br />
technical colleges, industry,<br />
statutory bodies, profession<br />
and general public.<br />
Framing and synthesis of design and<br />
performance parameters from a review and<br />
analysis of state-of-the-art in low and zerocarbon<br />
building design and technologies.<br />
Experimental design studies using physical<br />
and digital models, drawings, visualisation and<br />
energy simulation in PHPP, testing alternative<br />
spatial and programmatic arrangements<br />
in relation to energy efficiency, passive<br />
environmental design, formal and material<br />
responses.<br />
Business and financial model using proof of<br />
concept funding and industrial engagement<br />
to facilitate material and technical innovation<br />
(concrete, PV integration, battery development),.<br />
Development of building occupation concept<br />
as a ‘flexible living-lab’ to enable real-world<br />
data generation and simultaneously facilitate<br />
a “community of practice” within the public<br />
domain of the Botanic Gardens.<br />
Table 2<br />
+<br />
Images<br />
A1 to<br />
A7,<br />
cover<br />
Image<br />
and<br />
images<br />
pages<br />
1, 4, 5, 7<br />
& 14<br />
2 + (3) (B)<br />
Technical<br />
Design in detail, test, prototype<br />
and construct a full-scale<br />
low-embodied carbon<br />
construction system using<br />
as far as possible regional<br />
resources implementing<br />
new technologies where<br />
appropriate to demonstrate<br />
potential for in-use testing and<br />
up-scaling.<br />
Modelling, prototyping and physical testing<br />
of a reciprocal stressed-skin timber frame<br />
integrating small-section Scottish grown timber<br />
in novel building construction products (CLT,<br />
Cullen Space stud and JJI Joists).<br />
Optimisation and quantification of aesthetic<br />
and technical parameters (surfaces, interfaces,<br />
connections, details) to achieve low embodied<br />
carbon and ultra-low energy performance<br />
including development of thermal bridge free<br />
detailing.<br />
Images<br />
B1 to<br />
B27<br />
Development of a novel aerated concrete<br />
insulating / structural foundation slab with labtesting<br />
and prototyping of structural, physical,<br />
thermal properties, and fixings regimes.<br />
Develop natural resource<br />
harvesting, storage and energy<br />
supply (sun, wind, water,<br />
waste) within the building<br />
to enable self-sufficiency<br />
and provide the opportunity<br />
for flexible management of<br />
storage, import and export.<br />
Specification and modelling of renewable<br />
energy systems and parameter monitoring<br />
to achieve LC-nZEB energy performance,<br />
to complement the low-energy (Passivhaus)<br />
building design<br />
Aesthetic and spatial integration of PV, VAWT,<br />
medium-scale battery storage, rainwater<br />
harvesting and SUD’s water treatment, MVHR<br />
and post-heating.<br />
Images<br />
B28 to<br />
B45<br />
Table 1: Summary of objectives, methods and outcomes<br />
17
Aims Phase Objective Method Image<br />
Ref.<br />
1 + 2 (C)<br />
Reflective<br />
Understand behavioural<br />
issues in the operation of<br />
the building’s passive and<br />
active systems and in relation<br />
to resource use within the<br />
building (electricity, water,<br />
waste, heat and ventilation);<br />
Study the interfaces<br />
between the building, a local<br />
decentralised micro-grid,<br />
and the user enabling these<br />
more complex systems to be<br />
understood and managed.<br />
Develop cultural engagement<br />
activities via building and its<br />
occupancy, developing a<br />
shared domain for collective<br />
knowing and learning.<br />
Objectives shaded in grey are planned in the future<br />
Integrated sensor technologies to provide<br />
understanding of the spatial aspects of user<br />
behaviour and capture data on the relationship<br />
between occupants, the building fabric (e.g.,<br />
opening windows), technical systems (hot water<br />
use, ventilation, plug demand, etc.) passive and<br />
active performance and environment.<br />
Develop intelligent user controls for the building<br />
that provide feedback on system performance,<br />
allowing users to alter their energy consumption<br />
behaviour and / or control the building<br />
behaviour.<br />
Facilitate training and knowledge transfer<br />
in Passivhaus construction and energy<br />
autonomous architecture engaging technical<br />
colleges (trade apprentices), industry<br />
collaborations, statutory authorities, professions,<br />
schools and general general public via CPD’s,<br />
key notes, awards, exhibitions, Doors Open<br />
Days, social media and presss.<br />
Arts-based Project developed through an<br />
artist’s residency that will bring the Botanic<br />
Gardens back into focus as the central axis from<br />
which to contemplate and generate eco-social<br />
engagement and activity linked to the circular<br />
economy, place-making and integrated land use.<br />
Images<br />
C1 to<br />
C4<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
18
images of processes and stages in design development<br />
(referenced to table 1)<br />
(A) CONCEPTUAL<br />
Physical Criteria<br />
Gateway building in prime location at the entrance to the University Botanic Gardens<br />
50 m 2 gross floor area divided over two floors - 36m 2 ground floor<br />
Rentable flexible office space<br />
- 14m 2 first floor<br />
- occupancy for up to 4 people<br />
- flexible meeting space; kitchenette (with sink, fridge and<br />
microwave); plant room (mechanical services batteries,<br />
inverters, environmental monitoring); storage to be built<br />
into building fabric; entrance lobby/air lock<br />
Formal architectural response that synthesises aesthetic, spatial, passive environmental design and renewable<br />
energy generation systems and primary resource harvesting<br />
Rationalist ecological approach integrating material, form, function and energy generation<br />
Environmental Criteria<br />
56.54°N, East Coast of Scotland temperate climate<br />
Passivhaus energy standard tested<br />
Low-embodied energy materials to be used as far as<br />
possible (within the limitations of funding restrictions<br />
and availability through in-kind donation)<br />
Energy-autonomy (as an option) through use of carbon<br />
negative electrical generation and storage<br />
- BRE East of Scotland Climate Data<br />
- PHPP used for calculating energy performance<br />
- Therm 2D Software used to calculate thermal bridging<br />
- Scottish timber used in novel thermally broken<br />
construction system<br />
- high performance insulation and airtight membranes<br />
- foam concrete foundation system<br />
- LCA used to calculate the CO2e of the construction<br />
- 14% efficiency Photovoltaic Panel array<br />
- VAWT<br />
- Li Ion battery storage (medium scale)<br />
Rainwater harvesting, treatment, direct electrical heating /SUDS drainage and grey water disposal<br />
Table 2: Design and performance parameters used in the development of the R+D brief.<br />
19
A.1<br />
Image page 20:<br />
Sectional axonometric showing the intergation of ergonomic, spatial, material, structural and<br />
environmental design. The final spatial and geometrical arrangement is derived from form-factor,<br />
passive environmental considerations (passive solar gain, stack effect, cross-flow natural ventilation) and<br />
active solar generation (PV).<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
20
A.2<br />
image page 21:<br />
Spatial, programme organisation and passive environmental design decisions used in optimising<br />
and integrating form, function, climate response and renewable energy generation.<br />
21
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
22
A.3<br />
A.4<br />
images page 23:<br />
Iterative development of the three dimensional form tested through physical and digital maquettes.<br />
The final model (lower left) illustrates the development of a key horizontal datum at 3m above floor<br />
height which was used to differentiate the orthogonal ground floor and vaulted upper floor spaces.<br />
The geometry lines that define the junctions between the major surfaces are used to organise<br />
opening positions where one vertical face is ‘locked’ onto a major surface junction.<br />
Optimising form factor by adapting the 3D geometry to minimise external surface area - a critical<br />
consideration due to the small floor area. The final concept provides a surface to volume ratio<br />
between a sphere (best) and a cube without the inherent planning constraints of the former.<br />
23
A.5<br />
image page 24:<br />
Models and full-size constructional mock-ups testing formal, spatial, material, aesthetic and<br />
technical qualities. The models explore various detail considerations in resolving the prismatic<br />
geometry of the surfaces. In an early stage a hybrid CLT construction system was explored using<br />
short-section Scottish grown Spruce. This was subsequently changed to an open panel Space-Stud<br />
using home-grown Scottish Spruce due to site restictions preventing the use of a crane needed to<br />
lift CLT panels and the limitations imposed by self-build.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
24
A parametric model of the geometry was developed in Grasshopper software in order to understand the geometric rules<br />
for the form, the range of variations that could be produced and their effect on the physical, environmental and aesthetic<br />
outcomes (Illustrations F1 to F.4). The Studio electricity demand and solar insolation defined the size of the south elevation<br />
and south roof area and pitch and these were assumed to be fixed in the model and were defined as: length of plan (a);<br />
angle of south roof (Ø); area of south roof (S).<br />
The relationship between these parameters can be defined as follows: (Image A6.1..1 to A6.1.3)<br />
with the length of the square defined as:<br />
The ground floor plan is defined by two overlapping squares of different perimeter lengths, the larger of the squares<br />
rotated about a point on the south east corner of the smaller square. This provides more space for the circulation, stair<br />
and service zone without impeding on the functional space of the ground floor.<br />
The ground floor plan area can be described as follows (Image F2.1.):<br />
The mezzanine area is defined by the set-back distance (c) of the mezzanine front edge from the south elevation of the<br />
building. The mezzanine floor plan area can be described as follows (Image A6.2..2 to A6.2.3):<br />
The gross floor area of the building is 50m^2, which means the total ground floor area (S) plus mezzanine floor area (S`)<br />
= 50m^2 . These are then defined by the equation (Illustration A6.2.3 to A6.3):<br />
The mezzanine floor location and the angle of rotation between the two squares are related and defined by the length<br />
(b), with the maximum width of the plan being defined by (a) + (b). (Image A6.3).<br />
The digital model links all the various parameters together to control the geometry and modification to form and<br />
proportions can be made by changing different criteria. Generally when the solar panel area and south roof pitch are<br />
fixed, the front edge setback to the mezzanine (c) is defining the angle factor (b) between the two square geometries eg<br />
if the mezzanine floor is pushed to the north, the entrance is rotated to the east (Image F3). The geometry can also be<br />
controlled by the parameters (S) and (θØ). For example, the larger the angle (θØ) results in the mezzanine being pushed<br />
forward and the smaller the angle (θØ) results in the mezzanine being pushed backward in order to maintain optimum<br />
headroom at the mezzanine edge and control optimum angle for PV generation. The overall plan length and depth can<br />
also be varied to optimise internal ergonomics and control the form’s ‘object properties’.<br />
In the adopted geometry the mezzanine setback is determined by the ridge line of the shell allowing the mezzanine to<br />
occupy the higher volume below the ridge line of the roof which also provides a sump for heated air. Further parameters<br />
were developed to control opening positions in relation to the surface geometry of the shell and internal programmatic<br />
arrangement (Image A6.4). The choice of final form was an aesthetic decision based on proportional, material and spatial<br />
considerations.<br />
25
Image A6.1. Relationship between side length of plan (a); angle of south roof (θ); area of south roof (S).<br />
Image A6.2. Relationship between south geometry and north geometry of the ground floor and mezzanine floor<br />
plans.<br />
Image A6.3. Defining the mezzanine floor relationship to the building form.<br />
Image A6.4. Controlling opening positions and sizes. based on solar orientation, views, light and object properties<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
26
A.7<br />
image page 27:<br />
The adapted form and the organisation of the openings has the abstract qualities of a crystal (derived<br />
from Alberto Giacometti’s Cube) and the more familiar qualities of a domestic building form. The<br />
sculpural qualities of the the Studios form and its external materials mediate the industrial language<br />
of the green house and the idiosyncratic qualities of the visitor centre.<br />
27
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
28
details of outcomes<br />
(B) TECHNICAL<br />
The main outcome has been the development of a design methodology for a LC-nZEB<br />
building and the long-term testing of this in a full-scale demonstration project:<br />
<strong>Living</strong>-<strong>Laboratory</strong>: integration of aesthetic, spatial, passive environmental, active<br />
renewable energy generation and storage, and low embodied carbon construction in a<br />
LC-nZEB model that allows the simultaneous evaluation of the building’s environmental<br />
performance and user behaviour in relation to regulated and unregulated energy use<br />
and conservation of primary resources (cover image and images pages 1, 4, 5, 7, 14 &<br />
66).<br />
Three specific areas of technical innovation were developed through the course of the<br />
research:<br />
B-1 Prototyping an advanced timber frame with home-grown timber;<br />
B-2 Experimenting with an aerated concrete raft foundation:<br />
B-3 Developing a benchmarked LC-nZEB Energy System Model:<br />
29<br />
B.1<br />
image page 29:<br />
The building shell is constructed from a ‘kit’ of bespokely designed timber components that<br />
were prototyped and manufactured in-house. There was considerable complexity in acheiving<br />
the uniform reciprocal geometry of the internal and external surfaces and the open nature of<br />
the internal volume which was not suited to a traditional domestic timber framing system. This<br />
became a major focus of the detail design development.
(B-1) Prototyping an advanced timber frame with home-grown timber:<br />
Investigation and application of small cross-section regionally grown (Scottish) timber in a<br />
reciprocal geometry, stressed-skin timber frame and development of thermal bridge free<br />
component interfaces (Images G-).<br />
B.2<br />
B.3<br />
images page 30:<br />
A non-traditional solution for the vaulted roof was adopted that considered each major surface<br />
as a structural stressed skin plate that was supported on open panel wall cassettes connected<br />
by a circumferential ring beam at the 3m datum height The shell is stabilised laterally by a 1m<br />
deep trussed beam that serves as the mezzanine floor support and balcony edge tying the east<br />
and west walls together and facilitating a ground floor space uninterupted by structural columns.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
30
(B-1) Prototyping an advanced timber frame with home-grown timber:<br />
B.4<br />
B.5<br />
images pages 31 & 32:<br />
Manufacture and prototyping of thermally broken timber stud and joist sections used in the wall<br />
cassettes. Adapting proprietory systems such as ITW’s SpaceStud and SpaceJoist technologies for<br />
use with small cross-section Scottish-grown spruce to trial the use of regionally grown ‘low-grade’<br />
materials. The panels were first trialled in the lab where it was found that in order to overcome<br />
issues of the timber sections shrinking and twisting when drying out due to their high moisture<br />
content jigs were needed for manufactiring the studs. Limiting tolerances were a major issue in the<br />
construction.<br />
31
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
32
(B-1) Prototyping an advanced timber frame with home-grown timber:<br />
B.6 B.7<br />
image page 33:<br />
A CNC cut LVL mechanical connection was used to join the roof plates structurally while minimising<br />
thermal bridging.<br />
B.8 B.9<br />
B.10<br />
images page 34:<br />
The surface plates are comprised of individual ‘rafter’ members arranged to allow orthogonal<br />
junctions to the perimeter members that define the edge boundary to the plate. The geometry<br />
between plates varies depending on its position within the roof structure. Bespoke LVL connectors<br />
unique to each interface facilitate the joining of the plates reducing the complexity of the roof<br />
structure during onsite construction.<br />
B.11<br />
images 35:<br />
Sequencing of construction onsite<br />
33
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
34
35
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
36
371<br />
image page 24<br />
Frame partially constructed on site
(B-1) Prototyping an advanced timber frame with home-grown timber:<br />
B.12<br />
B.13<br />
14 15<br />
images pages 37 & 38:<br />
Framing out the timber exoskeleton that defines the geometry of the primary external surfaces<br />
necessary to realise a cohesive surface form internally and externally. The images show the OSB jigs<br />
used to determine the variable depths of the framework.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
38
(B-2) Experimenting with an aerated concrete raft foundation:<br />
Mechanical and thermal performance testing and prototyping of a new application of a novel<br />
lightweight air entrained material. Foamed concrete is a highly air entrained sand cement or<br />
cement only slurry with greater than 20% air by volume. The air is created by the introduction<br />
of a preformed foam with encapsulated bubbles of 0.3-1.5mm diameter. Developed for use<br />
in large void fill applications for example sealing mine shafts, foam concrete has beneficial<br />
thermal properties that make it an interesting material for use in structural applications such<br />
as building foundations where limiting thermal bridging is required. Increasing the air/volume<br />
ratio yields improved thermal properties but at the expense of a reduction in mechanical<br />
strength. The research investigated the potential of using the material as a single element raft<br />
foundation requiring optimisation of thermal properties, compressive strength and mechanical<br />
fixing regimes resulting in a slab density of 600kg/m 3 and a U Value of 0.1W/m 2 K at 1m depth.<br />
16 17 18<br />
images page 39:<br />
<strong>Laboratory</strong> testing material properties and cube samples for mechanical and thermal properties.<br />
A test sample of the mixed concrete was taken before the formed pour to confirm the accuracy<br />
of the mixture at the desired density of 600kg/m 3 . 150x150x150mm cured cube samples<br />
resulted in a weight of 1881g with an overall dry density of 557kg/m 3 .<br />
B.19<br />
B.20<br />
B.21<br />
images page 40:<br />
Trials using various proprietory fixings and methods of installation were lab tested for pull out<br />
strength using a small Instron machine including mechanical and resin bonded Hilti anchors,<br />
drilling and preparation regimes. All tests using proprietory concrete fixing methods failed. This<br />
provided a significant problem in anchoring the timber kit and other components.<br />
39
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
40
(B-2) Experimenting with an aerated concrete raft foundation:<br />
B.22<br />
images page 41:<br />
A cast-in anchor fixing was developed to provide a directly bonded anchor depth of 1m resulting in<br />
higher pull out forces. It eliminates any problems associated with post-drilling the substrate material.<br />
The developed method utilises an M10 stainless threaded bar at 1m long which is preassembled<br />
onto an LVL sole plate and attached to the formwork prior to casting the slab. The bar is angled<br />
away from the slab edge towards the centre at 20 degrees allowing more of the slab depth to be<br />
active in the fixing.<br />
41
Foamcrete slurry being pumped into<br />
timber formwork.<br />
Bentonite clay geotextile tanking<br />
membrane<br />
LVL sole plate attached to the<br />
formwork prior to casting the slab.<br />
10mm stainless steel threaded bar<br />
at 300mm c/c bolted into LVL sole<br />
plate and attached to a continuous<br />
steel uni-chanel section within the<br />
depth of the slab<br />
B.23<br />
B.24<br />
images page 42:<br />
Pouring the experimental aerated concrete slab. The slab was poured in two batches over two<br />
separate days to reduce the hydraulic pressure within the formwork and the high temperatures<br />
during curing which can lead to shrinkage and cracking.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
42
(B-2) Experimenting with an aerated concrete raft foundation:<br />
B.25<br />
image page 43:<br />
An early detail drawing exploring the relationship between the timber kit and slab edge. This<br />
junction was a crucial detail in determining the aesthetic relationship of the building to the ground<br />
and maintaining the thermal and structural performance of the slab.<br />
B.26<br />
B.27<br />
images page 44:<br />
Thermal bridge modelling in Therm 2D software optimised the slab / timber kit interface to<br />
reduce thermal bridging around the perimeter of the slab. The slab surface is protected by a<br />
40mm anhydride self-levelling screed and epoxy coating. This acts as a heat sump helping to<br />
balance internal temperature fluctuations as well as store direct heat from sunlight transmitted<br />
through the south facing window.<br />
43
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
44
(B-3) LC-nZEB Energy System Model:<br />
The primary aim of the project is to understand how different renewable energy technologies<br />
operate together to achieve “autonomy” and how these systems can be optimized to manage<br />
energy consumption behaviour without oversizing either the energy generation or storage<br />
elements of the system. The building concept has been developed as an energy autonomous<br />
solution operating an all-electrical system powered from near-zero emission renewables<br />
including a 5 kWp PV array, 3 kW VAWT and 24 kWh Lithium-Ion battery store. It was designed<br />
to the 2007 Passivhaus standard, with calculations indicating the construction will achieve 10<br />
kWh/m 2 .a specific space heat demand. Our calculations predict that the daily total energy<br />
demand can be satisfied from the renewable system in combination with short-term storage,<br />
but a shortfall is predicted for 12 days of the year occurring between October and February<br />
when the PV component is least effective. We expect in the future this will be mitigated<br />
through smart systems using predictive data to manage demand at critical periods and/or<br />
a small seasonal storage system such as a hydrogen fuel cell with the capacity for 120 ± 50<br />
kWh of electricity production.<br />
28 29<br />
30<br />
images page 45:<br />
The energy budget of the Studio includes thermal energy gains/losses; electrical energy<br />
requirements; PV generation; wind generation; energy statistics; building management. Electricity<br />
is used to supply all heating and hot water requirements with the main contributions to the<br />
electrical load including an MVHR unit and post-heater, LED lighting, laptops + chargers, mobile<br />
phone charging, refrigerator, ZIP Inline direct water heating/chilling, Building Management<br />
System, sensors and monitoring. By spreadsheeting individual consumption and utilisation<br />
factors an estimate of the typical load may be made, which amounts to some 6.6 kWh/day.<br />
45
B.31<br />
image page 46:<br />
The Studio has been designed to run on an all electrical 240 volt system supplying all the<br />
regulated demand (heating, hot water, ventilation, lighting) and all the plug load (computers,<br />
mobile phones, white goods). The main components of the integrated energy system include<br />
a 30m 2 , 14% efficient ploycrystalline silicon PV array with a capacity of approximately 4kWp, a<br />
Giromill vertical axis rotor type turbine calculated for the Aelos-V 3kW and a Li-Ion battery with<br />
a capacity of 24kWh.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
46
(B-3) LC-nZEB Energy System Model:<br />
B.32<br />
image page 47:<br />
Water harvesting, filtration and storage has been designed into the south roof and in-built south<br />
gutter to reduce reliance on treated mains drinking water to address the energy consumed<br />
and wasted in the treatment and losses incurred in centrally delivered mains water supply.<br />
The energy cost of water treatment is included in the energy budget of the renewable energy<br />
system. The Studio also utlises a SUD’s sytem for disposal and treatment of grey water.<br />
47
33 34<br />
35 36<br />
images page 48:<br />
Other components of the autonomous environmental system: (33) Balmoral hydrostore tank during<br />
installation; (34) ZIP Inline Direct Water Heating used to conserve hot / boiling water, (35) MVHR with<br />
electrial post-heater and (36) trialling a drinking water filtration and treatment system (ongoing).<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
48
more than technical<br />
From the outset primary aim was to challenge the aesthetics of ‘green buildings’, address issues<br />
of material and spatial quality in increasingly reduced living spaces, test formal architectural<br />
and passive environmental responses to landscape contexts of high value and demonstrate<br />
that high-technology, high-performance buildings can be constructed by unskilled labour<br />
economically via self-build. Through an iterative process of design and technical development<br />
and testing we gradually developed a holistic model and an architectural outcome that<br />
synthesised both qualitative and quantitative considerations resulting in a contemporary<br />
architectural reponse to the requirements for autonomy and self-sufficiency.<br />
37 38<br />
images page 49:<br />
The crystalline shape has been developed to respond to the different views and spaces within the<br />
garden and the technical requirements of energy conservation and renewable energy generation.<br />
The abstract nature of the resulting geometry has the presence of an ‘erratic boulder’ within the<br />
landscape, inspired by the “CUBE” an abstract sculptural work by Alberto Giacometti in 1933.<br />
49
B.39<br />
image page 50:<br />
South roof wall/window junction: The tell-the-tale-detail that resolves the thermal, geometrical<br />
and PV requirements in order to create the cohesive and unified external and internal surface<br />
facettes.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
50
51
more than technical:<br />
B.40<br />
image page 51:<br />
Externally the form presents as a composition of aggregated internal and external spaces<br />
articulated and unified by the continuous faceted surface. The thin material sheets create simple<br />
angular junctions between surfaces. The bespoke nature of fabricating the zinc and the horizontal<br />
layering of the skin results in a non-uniform crafted appearance..<br />
B.41<br />
image page 52:<br />
The only concession to surface modulation is around the north entrance where an upstand seam<br />
directs rainwater from the facade away from the doorway. The bridge trials a deck made from<br />
sustainable concrete with recycled road aggregate and black printer toner ink. The bridge creates<br />
a tenuous connection to the ground emphasising the sense of dislocation.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
52
B.42<br />
image page 53/54:<br />
Viewed from the south-west reveals the shifting geomtery and abstract nature of the form. The<br />
south facing PV array has been inset within an upstand seam within the zinc to maintain the<br />
appearance of a ‘‘contiguous’ surface. It is expected that the dark surfaces of the anthracite zinc<br />
cladding when exposed to sun will tend to depress the effective U-Value lower, or even below<br />
zero to indicate net gain, and the PV array will similarly lose some heat while generating to the<br />
underside.<br />
53
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
54
more than technical:<br />
B.43<br />
image page 55/56:<br />
Interior ‘shell’ and ‘core’ concept in which all elements of the interior not associated with the shell<br />
are treated as crafted elements of furniture with inbuilt functionality. A key consideration in the<br />
design was to seamlessly integrate the techncial equipment and services within these elements.<br />
55
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
56
57
more than technical:<br />
B.44<br />
image page 57:<br />
The relationship between the core and shell becomes apparent in the north stairwell where<br />
the three storey height volume is revealed through the separation of the mezzanine floor from<br />
the shell.. Birch veneered plywood is used to soften the interior. with the large uniform sheet<br />
elements reflecting the monolithic appearance of the external facade.<br />
B.45<br />
image page 58:<br />
Attention was paid to reusing as much of the plywood sheet as possible to reduce waste. This<br />
is evident in elements such as the fabricated handrails, door frames and built in drawers of the<br />
mezzanine balcony. Emphasis is placed on gaps between elements and corner junctions.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
58
c. cultural outcomes<br />
The project has been a vehicle for engagement in two ways:<br />
1. It serves as a platform for ongoing testing and dissemination of the integrated<br />
performance of low and zero carbon technologies and the ability to introduce new<br />
and untested technologies to benchmark performance and further understand<br />
their efficacy within a holistic quantified environmental model in which user<br />
interaction and behaviour, building behaviour and environmental interactions can<br />
be understood. The project continues as a vehicle for trans-disciplinary projects<br />
and learning as well as forming a platform for future industry R+D.<br />
2 It provides a facility to inscribe in society transformative actions alongside design<br />
and scientific knowledge, to shift behaviours towards more ecologically and<br />
economically sustainable pathways. Through an artist in residence post the aim is<br />
to draw together and sustain cross-sector communities of practice within society<br />
using horizontal, collective learning and creative engagement. This process of<br />
collective knowing and learning in a shared domain, will bring the Botanic Gardens<br />
back into focus as the central axis from which to contemplate and generate ecosocial<br />
engagement and activity linked to the circular economy, place-making<br />
and integrated land use. This process is ongoing and has recently resulted in an<br />
application for a UKRI Early Career Research Grants for an artist in residence.<br />
C.1<br />
image page 60:<br />
One of several key note lectures and addresses presenting different aspects of the projects to<br />
various academic, professional ,industry and governmental groups.<br />
59
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
60
61
c. cultural outcomes<br />
C.2<br />
image page 60:<br />
A Scottish Buildings Doors Open Day event; children from a local primary school taking part in<br />
a creative workshop to design their own sutainable houses.<br />
C.3<br />
image page 61:<br />
Scottish Funding Council Innovation Portal Case Study with Foster Renewable Energy supplier<br />
and installer of the PV array and invertor.<br />
C.4<br />
image page 62:<br />
Schematic detailing the post occcupancy environmental monitoring system for the Studio<br />
showing the range and the distibution of sensors. Thermocouple temperature sensors were<br />
installed in the aerated slab and screed to investigate temperature gradients and thermal mass<br />
effects. An Arduino-based data logging system was developed and deployed in different areas<br />
of the studio to provide understanding of temperature, humidity, air movement and volatile<br />
effects. Various electrical loggers are installed to provide energy generation and in use data.<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
62
dissemination<br />
esteem indicators<br />
Dundee Institute of Architects: Winner Small Projects Award – Zero Energy Studio, Botanic<br />
Gardens, Dundee, December 2015<br />
Finalist, Timber In Construction Awards, Manchester, November 2013.<br />
Citation in Edwards, B., Rough Guide to Sustainability, Chapter 9 - Super Low Energy Houses,<br />
p220-240, 4th Edition, RIBA Publications, London, 2013.<br />
Various online and web publication (bdonline, vimeo, inhabitat, plusmood, homemadedessert),<br />
popular press, manufacturers and specifiers product literature.<br />
exhibitions and keynote addresses<br />
• Burford, NK., (with Macro Micro studio), 2013. Prototype Zero Energy <strong>Laboratory</strong>, RSA Open<br />
Architecture Exhibition – New Contemporaries, Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound,<br />
Edinburgh, Dec – Jan 2013<br />
• The Energy Self-Sufficient Timber House: A Development Model, Keynote Speech, The<br />
Innovative Timber House Conference, Edinburgh, 3rd May 2016.<br />
• Impact of LZCGT’s and Future Perspectives in Low Energy Building Design, Scottish<br />
Household Survey Annual Conference, Scottish Government, Perth 7th and 10th March<br />
2016.<br />
• Macro Micro Studio: Prototype Energy Autonomous <strong>Laboratory</strong>, Dundee Institute of<br />
Architects, CPD/AGM 24th March 2016<br />
• Macro Micro Studio: Prototype Energy Autonomous <strong>Laboratory</strong>, Mackintosh School of<br />
Architecture, Friday Lecture Series: Process, Craft Culture, January 2016<br />
• Prototype Zero Energy <strong>Laboratory</strong>, talk to Dundee Rotary Club, Invercarse Hotel, Dundee,<br />
November 2015.<br />
• Prototype Zero Energy <strong>Laboratory</strong>, Botanic gardens, Dundee, Saltire Society, Doors Open<br />
Day, November 2014 & October 2013.<br />
63
journal and conference papers<br />
Burford, Reynolds, Rodley & Jones, 2015. Macro Micro Studio: A Prototype Energy Autonomous<br />
<strong>Laboratory</strong>, Sustainability, Basel, Vol. 7, 1-x manuscripts; doi:10.3390/su70x000x<br />
Burford & Robertson, 2016. Prototype Zero Energy Studio: A research-led, student-centred<br />
live build project: Case Study, Vol. Eight – Issues 1 and 2 – April 2016 | Issues | BROOKES<br />
eJOURNAL OF LEARNING AND TEACHING http://bejlt.brookes.ac.uk/issue/volume-eightissue-one/.<br />
Burford, Reynolds, Rodley, Jones & Ahmed, 2016. Prototype low-energy studio in Dundee<br />
Botanic Gardens, Scottish Renewables Solar Conference & Exhibition, Edinburgh, Edinburgh.<br />
06-07 Sept 2016<br />
Reynolds, S., Rodley, D., and Burford, N.K., 2013. Prototype Energy Autonomous Studio in<br />
Dundee, Scotland. SEEP 2013 - 6th International Conference on Sustainable Energy and<br />
Environmental Protection: Proceedings. Krope, J., Olabi, A. G. & Goričanec, D. (eds.). Maribor:<br />
University of Maribor, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, p. 168-174. 20-23<br />
August 2013<br />
collaborations<br />
XXXXX<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
64
References<br />
[1] Burford, NK. & Pearson, AD., 2013. Ultra-low-energy perspectives for regional Scottish<br />
dwellings, Intelligent Buildings International, Volume 5, 2013 - Issue 4, Taylor and Francis,<br />
London.<br />
[2] Burford & Robertson, 2016. Prototype Zero Energy Studio: A research-led, student-centred<br />
live build project: Case Study, Vol. Eight – Issues 1 and 2 – April 2016 | Issues | BROOKES<br />
eJOURNAL OF LEARNING AND TEACHING http://bejlt.brookes.ac.uk/issue/volume-eightissue-one/.<br />
[3] Groezinger, J.; Boermans, T.; Ashok, J.; Seehusen, J.; Wehringer, F.; Scherberich, M. Overview<br />
of Member States Information on NZEBs: Working Version of the Progress Report—Final<br />
Report; European Commission Project BUIDE14975; Ecofys: Cologne, Germany, 2014.<br />
[4] Musall, E.; Voss, K. Zero Energy Buildings—A Term with Various Meanings; Detail Green:<br />
Munich, Germany, 2012; pp. 70–73.<br />
[5] Marszal, A.; Heiselberg, P. Zero Energy Building Definition—A Literature Review; Joint<br />
Project—Task 40/Annex 52, Net Zero Energy Buildings, Solar Heating and Cooling Programme;<br />
International Energy Agency: Paris, France, 2010.<br />
[6]. Kibbert, C.; Fard, M. Differentiating among low-energy, low-carbon and net-zero-energy<br />
building strategies for policy formulation. Build. Res. Inf. 2012, 40, 625–637.<br />
[7]. Hernandez, P.; Kenny, P. From net energy to zero energy buildings: Defining life cycle zero<br />
energy buildings (LC-ZEB). Energy Build. 2010, 42, 815–821.<br />
[8]. Pless, S.; Torcellini, P. Net-Zero Energy Buildings: A Classification System Based on<br />
Renwewable Energy Supply Options; Technical Report NREL/TP-550-44586; National<br />
Renewable Energy <strong>Laboratory</strong>: Golden, CO, USA, 2010.<br />
[9]. Millar, G. Electricity Storage: Realising the Potential; Institution of Civil Engineers: London,<br />
UK, 2015.<br />
[10]. Burford, Reynolds, Rodley & Jones, 2015. Macro Micro Studio: A Prototype Energy<br />
Autonomous <strong>Laboratory</strong>, Sustainability, Basel, Vol. 7, 1-x manuscripts; doi:10.3390/su70x000x<br />
65<br />
B.46<br />
image page 66:<br />
Viewed at a distance from the west the studio becomes background and almost disappears<br />
within the shadows between the trees, the west window reflecting the landscape.
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
66
appendix A<br />
DRAWINGS<br />
67
appendix B<br />
PASSIVHAUS CALCULATIONS<br />
Self Sufficiency and the <strong>Living</strong> <strong>Laboratory</strong><br />
Neil Burford<br />
68
appendix C<br />
JULIEN TISSOT MSC DISSERTATION PROJECT - RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM<br />
69