last word
The last WORD
Rainwater harvesting and its
role in sustainable architecture By Michael Farnsworth
Michael Farnsworth Michael Farnsworth is Managing Director of Stormsaver. Michael’s environmental and sustainable passion stems from his time at University, where, inspired by one of the UK’s first eco-homes in Nottinghamshire, he created his own Rainwater Harvesting system. Michael’s background is thoroughly embedded in water conservation, having worked on a number of high profile public sector projects. Michael is also an expert commentator on water issues and has been quoted in the Guardian and the Telegraph.
Michael Farnsworth, greenpreneur and Managing Director of Stormsaver, discusses why architects need to push the boundaries of sustainable architecture even further and look to embrace resource-efficient technologies.
R
ecent figures released by RIBA show that architecture is responsible for about 45 per cent of all carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. To combat this, architects must continue to place significant importance on sustainable design and the use of water management techniques. Sustainable design is ultimately a systems approach to construction in which various components should be considered in harmony to achieve environmental goals. Alongside water management installations, these could include alternative power resources such as solar PV, wind power, geothermal energy, proper use of site and materials, health and safety, aesthetic appearance and contextual responsiveness. With Populous designing the main Olympic stadium in East London's Stratford with recycled
materials including guns and knives confiscated by the Metropolitan Police Service and Bristol County Council’s Cabot House office development being designed with over 85 per cent recycled materials from the local area and utilising numerous resource efficient technologies – it seems that the UK’s architects truly are pushing the boundaries in sustainable design. Architects need to consider the positioning of the site, its climate and the size and shape of the building, and seek a clear understanding of how resource efficient technologies, including water, can help create a cleaner, greener and more resource efficient environment. There are a number of guiding
regulations in place, including part L and G of the Building Regulations. Part L sets out requirements for the conservation of fuel and power and Part G guidelines water conservation for all new builds. Accordingly, BREEAM ratings set out different levels of sustainability standards. These standards aim to both ease water reliance and encourage the addition of sustainable features for both new builds and regeneration projects.
Respectively, a wide range of simple and cost effective water conservation measures, such as rainwater harvesting systems are available to architects. These systems are specifically designed to manage water in new and retrofit projects, increasing sustainability and complying with new government regulations. These systems, which can be fitted in both domestic and commercial builds, offer a sustainable alternative to mains water reliance and can contribute to drastic reductions in annual consumption, by up to 50 per cent in the home and as much as 80 per cent in commercial buildings. In some cases, the systems can even offer the option of being connected to other micro renewable technologies, including solar panels and small wind turbines, meaning operating costs are lowered and systems operate emitting zero Co2. Architects are the key to the implementation of environmental construction and should design and contract developments for the future to include comprehensive sustainability management features, creating a cleaner, greener and more resource efficient environment. ■
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