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| Eco-Design |
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| Dennis Sharp Architects |
| DSA have been working on energy efficient design and public participation schemes in the mid-1960s. DSA made representations at the 1996 UN Conference, Habitat 2, to promote the sustainable agenda. In 1999 DSA were awarded a research grant by the EU to investigate good practice in the EU. DSA strive to make all projects efficient in their use of natural resources and to maximise peoples� involvement and enjoyment, paticular attention is paid to the reuse of existing structures. Strawdance Strawdance Strawdance is an innovative strawbale dance studio which demonstrates how buildings can be built very inexpensively (less than �5,000) but can radically enhance a person�s quality of life. This structure has one of the lowest eco-footprints in the UK as bales were produced in neighbouring fields and the main timbers obtained from a recycle yard less than 5 miles away. Construction was a community effort with children and the elderly making an equal contribution. The dance studio has become a focal point for artistic endeavour attracting a wide range of activities including Indian Classical Dance, Tibetan healing, African drumming, yoga, music and poetry sessions. Links to Hugh Pearman and other articles Bevan, R.; �Hay and why; Architects: Dennis Sharp Architects� Building Design, no. 1379, 1999 Jan. 22, p. 18-19. � La danza nel bosco [Structural strawbales]�, Arca, no. 152, 2000 Oct., p. 92. Hugh Pearman, photos copyright Morley von Sternberg/Dennis Sharp Architects. An unpublished article commissioned by The Sunday Times in May 1999 http://www.hughpearman.com Eco-Homes, Bedfordshire DSA are designing homes for the future in Flitwick, Bedfordshire. These units are designed for maximum flexibility. They are fully wired and can easily accommodate a home/office, a granny flat or a teenage breakout space with separate access to minimise disruption in the home. The houses are eco friendly with solar panels and high levels of insulation and daylight, reducing heating and lighting bills. The high quality specification means very low running costs. These houses have been designed to inspire, be flexible and last! Flat Roof House, Buckinghamshire DSA give a high priority to reducing running and maintenance costs when designing proposals for existing buildings. Energy efficiency is given a high priority. The Flat Roof House was a major challenge as it is constructed out of 4� thin wall concrete. The house suffered from condensation problems and the thin wall concrete had little thermal mass. In summer the house overheated and in winter it was freezing. DSA carefully upgrading the thermal insulation to floors, walls and roof so that the character an form of the original thin wall construction was not lost. An oil fired condensing boiler was installed and all surfaces and finishes were selected for low maintenance and easy cleaning. |
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