THAMESMEAD ECOPARK, UK – NETHERLANDS PRIVATE COOPERATION TOACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE HOUSING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Chiel Boonstra (1), Phil Humby (2), Ken Walker (3)

1. DHV Accommodation and Real Estate, P.O. Box 1427, 3800 BK Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Tel : +31 33 47606 41, E-mail : chiel.boonstra@dhv.nl

2. Tilfen, Harrow Manor Way, Thamesmead South, London SE2 9XH, United Kingdom, Tel : +44 208 320 3443, E-mail : phumby@tilfen.co.uk

3. Chart Cottage, Graffham, Nr. Pethworth, West Sussex GU28 OPX, United Kingdom, Tel : +44 1798 867 609, E-mail : kwalker@ukonline.co.uk

The aim of Thamesmead Ecopark is todemonstrate how new housing contribute toenvironmental sustainability. Through thedesign and construction of state-of-the-artDutch housing concepts, energy andenvironmental technologies in the UK socialhousing and construction market, so that thesecan be replicated throughout the UnitedKingdom.

In the Kyoto conference environmentaltargets have been agreed aiming at reducingthe environmental impact of human society.Already in 1987 the Brundtland UNCommission concluded that in order to allowdeveloping countries a share in worlds’economical growth, even more substantialenvironmental targets must be achieved inwestern societies.

Thamesmead Town is a private companylimited by guarantee, located South EastLondon. Any profits are returned toThamesmead community. There are nocapital shares involved. Thamesmead iscontrolled by 12 Non Executive Directors, ofwhich nine are elected by and from localresidents. Thamesmead owns about 4,600rented units, 200 commercial units and has itsonw radio station, called Millenium 106.8.Thamesmead owns 180 ha of developmentland of which Gallions Reach Urban Villageis the recent housing development.

Thamesmead Ecopark is a housing scheme of40 two to four bedroom units in GallionsReach Urban Village, South East London.Thamesmead Ecopark is meant to show howthe building sector can contribute to

environmental sustainability. Consultantsfrom The Netherlands advised on thesustainable concepts, based on 20 yearsexperience in sustainable building in TheNetherlands and Europe. Most importantenvironmental principles on urban andbuilding scale are integrated in innovativehousing designs of the Dutch architect JanSplinter.

Preliminary design has been completed in1998. Planning approval has been providedby the local authority, i.e. Greenwich. Finaldesign was completed in 1999, while on siteconstruction is anticipated in 2001.

The aims of environmental sustainability inthe building sector are to reduce theenvironmental impact of the use of energy,materials and water. The Trias Energeticapoints out a generic strategy to achieve this: atfirst demand reduction, secondly theapplication of renewable sources and finallyefficient use of non-renewable sources.

REPLICABLE STRATEGIESIn particular fairly robust and knownmeasures and strategies have been selected toachieve maximum replication potential.The strategies have been chosen byidentifying consistent conceptual approachesfor different house types. The measures areimplemented by applying criteria of the DutchGreen Financing scheme for sustainablehousing, thereby confronting views from thedifferent countries involved, and integrating itin the architectural design.

ENERGY

The energy strategies aim at reduction offossil fuels, direct and indirect CO2emissions, and increasing the role ofrenewables energies in the energy supply.

Neighbourhood scaleq Roof design integrates daylighting and

solar collectors and prepares for solar PVq Sunspaces in South facing units.

Buildingsq High insulation levels for facades, roofs

and ground floors (U=0.25 W/m2K)q Super insulating windows (low E glazing,

U=1.1 W/m2K)q Wind pressure controlled natural

ventilation air supplyq Solar collectors for preheating domestic

hot waterq Low temperature heatingq Individual condensing gas boiler

WATER

The water strategies aim at closing the watercycles into appropriate loops in order1. to reduce the demand of drinking water, toreduce the environmental impact of exploitingwater resources.2. to reduce the capacity of sewage-watertreatment plants3. to balance ground water levels withrainwater instead of supply from other areas.

Neighbourhood scaleq Rainwater infiltration into the ground,

through limitation of pavement and theapplication of half-open pavement.

q Biological treatment of rainwater beforeentering canals. Street water via ‘oil-separators’ to biological water treatmentpond

Buildingsq Low flush toilets (4 – 6 liter per flush)q Water saving tapsq Rainwater collection for toilet flushing in

6 units

MATERIALS

The aim is efficient use of materials,application of renewable, recycled andrecycleble sources and limitation of the directand indirect environmental impact of buildingmaterials.

Neighbourhood scaleq Efficient streetplan and parking provisionsq Flexible and half open pavement.

Buildingsq Timber frame constructionq Cellulose insulation in roof constructionsq Long service life and low maintenance

cladding and roofing:q Natural slates roofing, brickwork at

ground floor level and clay tiles at secondfloor level

DISSEMINATION STRATEGYA temporary Ecopark Information Centreshall be built. The aim of the Ecoparkdissemination strategy is to manage, exhibitand promote a replicable example of the useof sustainable building techniques and theirviability in an engaged community as anambassador for sustainable living.

q at a local level: to use the Ecopark toillustrate and influence the localcommunity and those concerned withlocal planning and construction

q to use the Ecopark at a UK national levelas a focal point for Gallions HousingAssociation and its social housingcolleagues throughout the country toinfluence policy and decision makers,professionals and contractors in therelevance of promoting sustainablehousing, its quality, viability andenvironmental benefit as the norm.

q at a European level: to use the Ecopark asan example of good practice through thenetworks of social housing organisationsand partnerships in which GallionsHousing Association is an activeparticipant; and so as to receiveinformation, European ideas andexperiences in return.

Having planned and constructed 39 dwellingsin Thamesmead, South-East London, usingsustainable materials, construction principlesand energy efficient systems, it is intended topursue the objectives set out above, by usingthe project as an example to show that

sustainability is an available option and canbecome the norm. This will be done byq actively involving the tenants and

occupiers in the understanding andperpetuation of the sustainable principles,features and services and bringing them tothe attention of the wider community ofwhich the neighbourhood forms part.

q Initiating a continuing programme ofeducation in conjunction with localschools to promote an understanding andacceptance of the principles ofsustainability.

q Establishing and carrying out aprogramme of informing and educatingspecific groups of people, (such aspoliticians, administrators, regulators,manufacturers, social and privatedevelopers, contractors and professionals),in the principles, features and results ofsustainability.

Finally, in conjunction with local residentsand the local authority an exit-strategy will bedeveloped so as to pass on responsibilitieswithin the community and to perpetuate andmultiply the impact and results.

ConclusionThe private UK – Netherlands co-operationresulted in the exploitation of succesfullelements of Dutch sustainable constructionprinciples in the UK housing market, e.g. theapplication of Green Finance criteria forhousing.

The international cooperation took place atthe level of a private organisation involved innew housing development in South EastLondon, resulting in an immediate on siteapplication of results.

Conclusions shall be drawn on theseexperiences through a UK funded evaluationprogram by the end of 2000.

The ‘Dutch’ design of the houses is anotherinnovation compared to the relative traditionaldesign practice in UK housing.