Reiach and Hall Council Building
Alex Pearson
Doctorate Progress
Happy New Year
All the best for 2012!
Overdue Update
Logn Overdue update on the research.
The research explores possible lower energy and more appropriate alternative typology to
current developer (mass market) rural housing specific to rural Scotland. The
proposal states that this can be achieved by developing appropriate, alternative
housing typologies (to the current detached and semi detached types) which
reference existing domestic and non domestic typologies found in rural areas.
The alternatives will aim to balance quantitative (such as energy efficiency)
and qualitative (design qualities) issues in a design project with an actual
site and developer brief.
Highland Housing Fair
Image of research diagram at the Highland Housing Fair, with thanks to SEDA.
Project Summary
Investigation of Alternative, Sustainable Low-Energy Approaches to Scottish Rural Housing Leading to the Development of New Qualitative Design Tools
Within the UK three million new homes are to be built by 2020; a significant proportion of new houses are to be provided in rural environments in small towns and villages. There is currently no appropriate strategy for sustainable residential development in rural Scotland. Current mass-market housing uses generic suburban development models which are unsustainable and lead to high carbon lifestyles. Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), which requires all new homes to be “zero carbon” from 2016, is primarily a technical code. If substantial new development utilises CSH and current suburban housing models in rural contexts this will have a detrimental effect on the sustainability of rural communities and a lasting effect on the identity, culture and character of the Scottish rural environment.
It is now imperative that alternative sustainable approaches to rural communities and rural housing provision are developed, with the aim to create an appropriate and sustainable legacy for the Scottish countryside. There is currently a skills and knowledge gap holding back the design of more qualitative, sustainable, economical, energy efficient rural housing. Alternative approaches must surpass current practice, architectural ambition and government legislation to form a robust sustainable approach to rural development.
The final outcome of this research will be a number of alternative tested sustainable approaches to rural development that take a holistic approach using design-led scenarios to determine more sustainable, appropriate forms of housing. The approaches will be used to develop and test criteria against which more qualitative decision making tools can be created. The research will contribute to the provision of more sustainable rural communities and more appropriate forms of housing leading to improvements in the culture, quality, sustainability, economy and energy efficiency of the rural built environment. This research has the opportunity to be used to inform future policy making and best practice in the Scottish context and be suitable within a wider UK context and beyond.
Seminar Image
Seminar Image
Defines:
Literature Review
Research issues
Scottish Housing
Research Diagram
Image of the research matrix, hard copy.
Abobe Contribute Test
First test with Adobe contribute….
Here is two studies relating to identity of modern and traditional housing\ building:
These are abstractions of photographs to strip off the superficial context and materiality, and focus on the form, and composition of the buildings. One dates from the 1900′s, the other an influential contemporary rural housing design.
Abstract
“An investigation of alternative, appropriate, sustainable approaches to low energy, mass-market, Scottish rural housing”
Aim
The aim of this doctoral study is to develop an approach to create new sustainable, low energy housing in the rural Scottish context.
The study will offer a new approach to appropriate sustainable housing and appropriate sustainable housing development, which responds to the future energy and climatic conditions. It also aims to address the lack of contextual response and identity within many new housing developments, particularly in Scottish rural housing and current low energy housing models.
Wide spread housing typologies, (suburban, traditional rural, sub-rural, low energy) are all fundamentally contradicting the needs of appropriate sustainable housing in the rural context. Such as the continuing use of suburban housing models in the rural context and the proposal of ae-contextual low energy housing models for future developments.
Research
The approach will take a broad overview of the current state of the art and define the strengths and weaknesses. It will be used to develop a theoretical standpoint to generate a series of criteria and aims. These research elements will be used to develop design project brief.
Method
The design project(s) will take the form of a vehicle to test the theoretical framework and meet attempt to holistically meet the research criteria.
This work will reference and extend previous research carried out by such organisations as: Scottish Government, The Forestry commission, Architecture and Design Scotland, Building Research Establishment, Princes Trust Foundation, Zero Carbon Hub and others.
Application and benefits
The doctoral study intends to open up further research fields within its context due to the depth and breadth of the initial study.
The outcome will significantly contribute to the design and building of low energy housing in rural areas due to the current lack of knowledge and approaches that appropriately respond to the problem.
The proposed research would be utilised by architects as a design exemplar approach, planners and developers as a guidance document, and community’s knowledge to improve future developments, creating sustainable, low energy housing in the rural Scottish context.
Background
Having recently completed a Masters of Architecture at Dundee school of Architecture focusing on a zero carbon housing models and alternative sustainable developments to suburban rural development I have up to date knowledge within the subject.
The proposed doctoral study will create a far more grounded and realistic approach, than previous study, that is aimed to be of substantial use within the current and future housing market.
Further I have two years previous work experience at RMJM, an internationally renowned architectural practice working on varied live projects, including large scale low energy, mass-market, Scottish rural housing.
In addition I have been closely involved with numerous Low energy competition entries in collaboration with a small architectural practice.
Future
The doctoral research will form a base of knowledge that could other wise not be accrued such a holistic way so early in a career. The intention is that the approach will be adapted and progressed over a lifetime of work in practice and teaching, to create appropriate, sustainable, low energy, housing.
Updates on progression
“An investigation of alternative, appropriate, sustainable approaches to low energy, mass-market, Scottish rural housing”
