| Scheme
Summary The scheme comprises 16 timber framed houses and flats. Built to sustainable principles the scheme uses geothermal energy for hot water. The energy efficient features exceeded the maximum SAP of 100. Completed in July 1999.
The scheme is built in the east end of Glasgow and aims to reduce residents running costs and improve the environmental performance of the properties. The scheme harnesses the geothermal energy available from a flooded coalmine situated 100m below the site. The hot water is combined with solar panels on the roofs to reduce energy demands and CO2 emissions, whilst providing inexpensive heating for residents.
Prefabrication speeded up the on site construction time and enabled greater control over critical elements of the structure. A services zone is incorporated into the internal face of all external walls and kitchen walls for ease of maintenance. The properties are clad in brick, larch weather-boarding or a render system. The timber is untreated and from a local sustainable managed source. Materials have been selected by considering their whole life cycle impact during extraction, production, building, occupation and deconstruction phases. Some compromises were made on cost grounds. For example, zinc roof sheeting was used but copper was preferable due to its longer life and greater ability to be recycled. Recycled materials from the site and other housing sites were used where possible. Initial site investigations discovered that a disused flooded coalmine existed deep underground. A scheme, in conjunction with Enconsult, was devised to use the pre-heated water to heat the super insulated houses. The water in the coalmine has a constant temperature of about 24°C. It is heated by geothermal action from the earth's core. It is pumped through a well to a heat pump that boosts the temperature. The heated water is stored in a well insulated tank and distributed to radiators in each house. The heating systems are individually controlled. Residents can raise the temperature of hot water by electric immersion heaters. Solar panels, with a total area of 36m2, are installed to south facing roofs to provide additional hot water to the thermal storage tank. This helps to maintain a constant source of pre-heated water. The houses are largely orientated east-west giving good daylight to both front and back gardens. Buffer draught lobbies reduce energy losses and create additional storage and utility rooms. Flats are accessed from a glazed atrium, providing light and space to the main circulation area. The house designs allow greater internal flexibility. Barrier free standards to the layout enable the use of loft spaces for living. A varied mix of house types result, including family, young person, elderly and wheelchair accessible accommodation. The quality of the external environment was considered important if sustainability was to be achieved. The scheme is 'car free' to provide a healthier and safer environment. Careful attention has been paid to the planting choice to build a vibrant environment. Water butts are provided and recycling facilities are included to encourage waste separation.
There were also in-house meetings to explain to all Housing Association staff what the aims of the housing proposal were. Maintenance staff contributed to the specification of materials and set about collecting materials from other sites which could be used in the project. However, problems were experienced when persuading contractors to think seriously about recycling materials, especially with regards to costs and liability. It is not presumed that the Shettleston scheme is the answer to sustainable housing. It does, however, demonstrate some of the techniques which sustainable developments must take on board. A lot has been learned in developing the ideas for this unique project and it is hoped that many of the ideas can be incorporated in other new build and rehabilitation projects. Contact:
Nick Ronan,
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