Output details

Energy Autonomous Live-Work Prototype Studio. Design and construction of a zero energy, self-sufficient building.

Content

Development of an ultra-low energy consumption, energy-plus building within the high-value landscape of the University Botanic Gardens in Dundee. The 50m² live-in laboratory showcases the integration of new architectural concepts, ultra-low energy construction techniques, renewable energy production, storage, export and building control technologies. It addresses European Union agendas for a 100% renewable based power sector by 2050 and the need for research into intelligent renewable micro-grids. It challenges the formal and aesthetic language of how such buildings respond to their physical, sociological and economic contexts.

Questions

How to develop a formal, spatial and technical language for an energy self-sufficient building that responds to a landscape of extraordinary natural beauty?

How to understand the efficacy of designing grid-tied, self-sufficient buildings and the relationships between capital cost, revenue, fuel poverty and affordability?

Methods

Action-led research involving building design and construction, material and component development, testing and post occupancy evaluation. The research draws together participation and expertise from Dundee University Engineering, Physics, and Computing; Dundee College trades apprentices; over 50 industry stakeholders; and local Planning and Building Control Departments. Innovative research-led teaching includes multi-disciplinary/institutional learning, team-working and applied learning through self-build. A demonstrator renewable building/micro-grid enables future up-skilling and up-scaling of regional building industries.

Dissemination

Dissemination has been built into every stage of the research via knowledge transfer and direct involvement of industry stakeholders. Long-term use of the building by Solar Cities Scotland enables post-occupancy evaluation and further dissemination to wider public, professional, industry and policy-maker audiences. The work has been disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, popular press, industry trade reviews, as well as through the web. The building has featured in open public and invited design exhibitions including Dundee Doors Open, Guildry, City Council exhibitions and RSA Edinburgh. The project won an industry design and a University teaching award.

Research content is in two areas:

Design quality and the built environment:

This public demonstrator building addresses Scottish Government design quality agendas by developing new material and formal languages for ‘green-buildings’. It uses the rhetorical power of good design as a vehicle for building communities of stakeholders and promoting low energy design practices.

Energy, technology, society:

The project Investigates how a prototype building can become a power station/store within future smart energy grids, and how this strategy impacts fuel poverty and housing affordability. It fosters education and knowledge transfer in design and energy awareness across age groups and public/industry sectors.