BedZED

Beddington Zero Energy Development is a housing project designed by Bill Dunster and BioRegional Development Group. It has 82 homes, 2,500m2 total, and was completed in 2002. The propose was to design a place to help people live more sustainably without sacrificing their modern lifestyle.

The main principles were: use energy from renewable sources available on site - mostly solar panels; facades are located to south in order to maximize solar heat; rain water is collected and used, and also wasted water is recycled and reused; materials are eco-friendly - recycled or from sources close to the site to minimize transport; vehicles are shared to reduce pollution and maximize its efficiency. The performance was significative good comparing to UK rates - which are not so good in saving energy.

However, there were several issues in the development of the project: the biomass gasifier did not work and so did not provide energy for the houses; the water recycle system was not working properly; the common farm was not used by the residents; the resident's footprints were reduced but not as expected; the common transport was not well succeeded - the residents still have their own cars and they complained a lot about the site location.

This shows that there was some issues with the design process and in the construction and its maintenance. However it is a great attempt of reducing the footprint by the building's design.

Source: BioRegional Development Group, 2009, BedZED seven years on: The impact of the UK’s best known eco-village and its residents, BioRegional Development Group.