improving our future interiors
THE RETROFIT AWARDS SPONSORED BY GROHE
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT AWARD 2011
Winner: Seed Homes
www.seedhomes.co.uk The prefabricated panel building system from Seed Homes was chosen for the high usage of local materials, efficient in-factory construction and ability to use low grade certified timber. The panels, insulated with recycled newspaper, also have good air tightness, and a low u-value.
project must now be low energy. She explained the types of lamp and how to use them, and also illuminated the audience on the new system of light bulb packaging, which will see light brightness measured in Lumens rather than in Watts. Sustainable Design Enabler and author
of The Eco-Design Handbook, Alastair Fuad-Luke, then presented what he called a toolkit for more holistic design. This 10-point plan urged designers to consider points such as the ‘embedded energy’ of an existing item before choosing whether to replace it, and moving towards a ‘closed loop’ whereby products can be constantly recycled. “The real skill you can bring is how to make all this eco stuff desirable,” he told the audience. A panel discussion chaired by idFX magazine editor Kate Burnett brought together Fuad-Luke with Glen Irwin (Sustainability Director at Gifford); Lucy Pedler (architect and founder of The Green Register), and MD of Parity Projects, Russell Smith. A lively discussion ensued, covering such topics as how to
“Sustainability is about a lot more than how a building
performs...It’s about how a building is loved.” Wayne Hemmingway
choose a green team and how to engage clients with environmental issues. Lucy Pedler was critical of the slow pace of change: “We are mired in inertia, in this county you just want business as usual, get the job done and go down the pub,” she complained. “I want to quadruple energy prices – as soon as your pocket is hit, things will change. I’m a big fan of sticks, I’ve gone off carrots.” The final speaker of the day was
Wayne Hemmingway, who gave a hilarious account of the thriftiness of his upbringing, and how his granddad’s ability to fix the cracked soles of Dr Martens boots with a soldering iron led to the teenager making thousands of pounds on Camden Market. He went on to describe some of the refurbishments of old blocks of flats and housing estates that his company was currently undertaking, and how these were changing the lives of residents. “Sustainability is about a lot more than how a building performs,” he says. “It’s about how a building is loved.”
Highly Commended: Furniture Divas
www.furnituredivas.co.uk The bespoke refurbished pieces from Furniture Divas were commended for their thoughtful attention to aesthetics and material sourcing.
RETROFIT PROJECT AWARD 2011
Winner:Oliver Heath
www.oliverheath.com The retrofit of Oliver Heath’s 1960s house in Brighton was chosen for being a well- designed and efficiently executed project that shows a good all-round awareness of the key sustainability issues and a desirable aesthetic, but most importantly achieved 62 per cent reduction in carbon emissions. The Judges felt that the project would inspire other homeowners to choose a sustainable retrofit.
Second: Edward Bulmer
www.edwardbulmer.co.uk The retrofit of Edward Bulmer’s Grade II listed estate, Court of Noke, in Pembridge, was a close second, after judges admired the light touch of the retrofit, which had produced carbon and cost savings while retaining the historic integrity of the building.
Highly Commended: Julian Harrap Architects
www.julianharraparchitects.co.uk The retrofit of a shop front in Whitechapel High Street was commended for being a simple, sustainable solution to urban regeneration.
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