The LIPS units costs are 19% of a conventionally built social housing unit, however there is still the added cost of demolition at some stage to the Social Housing Block. It would be foolish to shows these figures without taking into consideration the SIPS site shared facilities. The proposal has a Toilet and Shower block of 405m2 and a Warming Centre of 787m2. As these are both highly serviced facilities, I will take the upper limit of £1000.00 per m2. The cost for the combined shared facilities would be £ 119,2000.00. (These elements are related to an academic project carried out on a proposed site at the redundant air base at Heyford Park, Oxfordshire)


LIPS principles to mimic Nature (Biomimicry)


“The actual level of the comfort zone, especially in winter, depends greatly on clothing. By wearing warmer clothing, it is possible to significantly lower the indoor temperature and still remain comfortable. The acceptable indoor temperature at night, during the sleeping hours, is usually lower than during daytime and evening hours.” (Baruch Givoni, 1998)


Most animals and birds have summer and winter coats or plumage, likewise LIPS


community members will adopt similar modern principles of thinner garments worn in layers. The LIPS concept is conceived that the tent is used for sleeping hours. Another observation from nature is that as soon as a bird, butterfly or lizard wakes up they head for a sun soaked area to warm up. Likewise the proposal has a Warming Centre.


This two-storey south facing building has a glass frontage to generate warmth, light and a


view onto the LIPS site. To maintain a year round warm zone, in the autumn winter and spring a heated lounge will remain accessible throughout this period. It is envisaged that the Warming Centre acts as a social centre where breakfast and dinner will be served to the whole community.


By preparing meals at this centre, risk of fire is reduced, as the traditional method for a


LIPS community is to cook individually on a flame. Hygiene standards are raised – food is stored, cooked and disposed of correctly and dishes are washed properly. This also gives extra time to the community as the time to shop, prepare and clean up after each meal amounts to a large portion of the day’s time. The Warming Centre will have locker facilities to charge mobile phones, 10 internet enabled PCs, games room, private rooms, the LIPS Community Office, toilet facilities, kitchen, dinning area, lounge area, conference area and sick bay. If you like the crowd or want privacy, the Centre caters for both.


Other LIPS Support Buildings There will be a toilet block situated in the centre of the LIPS site. This will allow efficient and


easy use to all members. The design will be simple and homogeneous making for easy clean down. Access to the toilet block will be gained by having a swipe card. This is to ensure only community members use the facilities. There will be thirty-two bathrooms suits comprising shower, toilet and work top with basin. 10% will have an additional bath facility. A camera will monitor the room facility before entry and on leaving so any misuse of the facility will be detected. The community member will be allocated one of the thirty-two facilities so ownership of a place is established. There will be another block of traditionally laid out toilets & urinals, showers and basins to cater for both sexes. Again the design will incorporate monitoring.


The purpose of monitoring is to keep the harmony within the community, repeat offenders


can be dealt with and if there is no change, the chance to be a community member can be terminated. Control of hygiene is important when facilities are shared. Should there be a genuine accident, or the facilities need a clean then the correct procedure can be put into action.


Low Impact Permanent Settlement


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