C O N T E X T 9 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 7 25 Water has been conserved by using low-flush WCs, waterlessurinals,andwash-basintapswithflowrestrictors and auto-off fittings. The utilitarian nature of the fittings complements the building’s industrial character. Rainwater-harvesting barrels have been provided to demonstrate the simplicity of water conservation to the wider public, and provide facilities to wash boots and equipment. Locally sourced and recycled materials and environmentally friendly materials were used. The completed building provides a fully accessible environmental education centre, providing a place from which to preach the environmental gospel to a predominantly younger audience. The building was used for the launch of the government’s ‘education outside the classroom’ manifesto in 2005. Ankerwycke Farmhouse The repair and restoration of a fire-damaged, brick-andtile, historic farmhouse, for some years unoccupied, provided a near-blank canvas for incorporating many environmental design measures.The scheme builds on earlier experience at the snuff mill. Although the building was unlisted, the measures would easily translate to a listed building in similar circumstances. Ironically, the fire exposed and burnt through evidence of a largely intact earlier building sequence, which would have justified listing. Due to programme constraints, and without internal access, a preliminary scheme was designed based on condition surveys while stabilisation and clearance progressed. Having established the need for dry-lining to mitigate aggressive salt activity, ‘super insulation’ could be added to the walls without intrusion. Coupled with recycled newspaper insulation to the roof void, triple glazing, and careful design to minimise air leakage, a highly insulated outer shell will allow the building to be heated quickly. This will minimise the energy demand on the roof-mounted pre-heater panels within the inner roof valley and on the high efficiency boiler. Further energy reductions are proposed using compact pipework and low-level radiant heating. Energy demand will be reduced by maximising natural and borrowed lighting; using energy-efficient lighting; installing a sun-pipe routed to the inner roof valley; and providing a photo-voltaic panel to power roof-panel pumps and controls. Sensor light-switches and a common extract ventilation system are not appropriate to the domestic setting. Water is to be conserved by using low-flushWCs and regulated taps. Mains pressure atomising shower heads have been specified in preference to power showers. Rainwater runoff will be harvested by a new storage tank, to supply appliances and for WC flushing. This will create a small additional electrical load.Waste will be separated and recycled during construction. The design allows for the ground-floor to be adapted for a disabled person. Ducting is positioned behind skirtings to allow service upgrades with minimal intervention. The restorative scheme has now been designed and tenders have been returned. The scheme will remain flexible to accommodate new ideas and technologies. The scheme is designed to cause the minimum harm to both environment and occupants, providing a healthy place to live, with minimal toxic chemical and biological effects from modern building processes. Environmental conservation carries little statutory force, but it makes good business sense and should be integral to building conservation projects. Whether or not this happens will depend on market forces and political inclination. The needs of historic buildings need to be balanced against environmental benefits. Conservation inevitably entails extra costs, but grants are available. The industry needs to work more flexibly and openly, based on informed opinion. Inevitably, in an evolving discipline, we are still learning what to do, and where. Every scheme adds to the pool of knowledge, but we are lacking a means of coordinating and disseminating that information. Our mission is to understand and sympathetically integrate energy conservation as a complementary discipline. Nicholas Kelly is a building surveyor working for the National Trust on building and environmental conservation projects within the Thames and Solent region. Almost a blank canvas for conservation
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