University of Derby News

              Home › United Kingdom › University of Derby › News › University Partnership Helps On Journey To `Zero Carbon`

University Partnership Helps On Journey To `Zero Carbon`

Architectural practice Lathams is working with the University of Derby on an innovative technology project to improve the sustainability of new, existing and listed buildings.

The Derby architectural and urban design practice is working with the University`s advanced software and modelling techniques to assess the sustainability of different designs, and to explore how adaptations to each design could improve their environmental performance.

The project is part of the Ingenuity Programme, which aims to improve business performance through access to university expertise and resources.
Carbon Cutting

Lathams managing director Chris Twomey explained that the technology was playing a vital role in helping architects meet the need for `zero carbon` housing.

He said: "Although nearly everyone agrees we ought to be moving towards sustainable or zero-carbon buildings in the future, and indeed there is legislation in place that demands it by 2016, the challenges are huge.

"These challenges range from how you define zero carbon to how you measure performance and how you physically achieve that performance.

"That presents one set of obstacles for new-build housing, but then a whole different set when you consider that 80% of our existing housing stock will still be here in 40 years.

"If we are to make the energy and carbon gains that are being demanded, architectural solutions are going to have to be as much about upgrading existing houses as they are about creating innovative new-build designs."
Test Cases

While one of the designs being analysed in the project is a specialist eco-house for a client in Little Eaton, the other two designs have been chosen to address the specific challenge of improving the sustainability performance of existing buildings.

The first is a poor-performing concrete panel house, typical of estates around the UK, and the second is a listed heritage building where intervention and improvement are strictly controlled.

Emma Latham (no relation to the practice founder) is the University researcher leading the joint research project.

She explained that while there is a lot of research into new technologies and approaches for more sustainable new-build houses, there has been less work done with existing properties.
Action Now

Emma said: "A lot of my work at the University has led towards the question of whether it is better to demolish and rebuild properties, or to restore, upgrade and re-use existing buildings.

"While that is an interesting debate in its own right, the bottom line is that we have no choice. To get anywhere near Government targets on sustainability we are going to have to be more sustainable in the way we do both.

"These are complicated issues but the science and technology available from a major university can give a company like Lathams a major advantage in resolving them."

Dr Boris Ceranic, University of Derby Programme Leader for Architectural courses, said: "The University is proud of its graduate Emma Latham, from the Built Environment subject area, who is the co-ordinator and researcher responsible for applying innovative software and technology to improve the sustainability of the new and existing projects in Lathams portfolio."

The partnership between Lathams and the University is being funded by the East Midlands Development Agency, through the Ingenuity Programme.

For further information about the University of Derby contact Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.

For additional information about Lathams contact Marc Sanderson, Head of Marketing at Lathams, on 07879 600803 or email m.sanderson@lathamarchitects.co.uk.