My German colleagues, Sandra & Leif Tollé currently have their hands full with both developing and fulfilling their businesses in Germany with Tollé GmbH, so from the end of September 2013, we have called a halt to our collaboration until sanity and time for international projects on their parts becomes available again.
I've been inspired by their social and ethical approach, in particular with regards to new ways of multigenerational living and sustainable construction. I a therefore continuing my own personal interest in a separate, new blog, Living And Sustainable Architecture, writing about people, organisations and events that I attend. Please do visit at http://livingandsustainablearchitecture.blogspot.co.uk
Thursday 14 November 2013
Monday 4 November 2013
Community that reaches across generations – a new concept in social living
The benefits of a multi-generational living scheme in which students and older citizens live alongside another in one community have been outlined by the architects of the Welker Campus Project at a conference in Germany.
Areas for social interaction, communal activities, classes and events, in which the two generations can come together to share skills and life experiences, are included in the scheme.
Tollé, the architects with a base in Dusseldorf, want to build a sister project at the same time in the UK and are currently raising awareness of the project to prospective partners and supporters.
It is the aim of the architects to echo the considerable success they have enjoyed in the commercial sector to social projects and living environments.
Architect Sandra Tollé said: “A multigenerational complex such as Welkercampus creates a social living space and can be effective in fostering relationships that have been lost in some areas of our society for the mutual benefit of both young and old enjoying the interplay possible between generations.
“The scheme would help to ensure older people feel integrated and less isolated. Those young people with disabilities or special needs could also benefit greatly from living in an environment such as this with the support of dedicated agencies.
“Students would gain from sharing their skills and helping those with whom they are living alongside. Universities could also explore the possibilities of offering additional vocational and social studies to students who would use their experience of living in this environment to complement their learning.”
A campus has already been designed for 100 units on the site of a former home for the elderly in Duisburg, a town where there is a student population requiring accommodation. Potential sources for loans for the capital investment required have also been identified.
The design includes a hub for service providers to help and promote the benefits of the communal living scheme and to give support to those who need it so the social interaction is not just left to chance. Music, cookery, crafts, film, new technology are all areas that will be explored in encouraging the interplay of different generations.
The site covers approximately 1700sqm and includes flexible accommodation on three floors - with students in bedsit style units, but which could be adapted for couples or small families; and one bedroomed apartments on the ground floors for older people.
Professor Viktor Grinewitschus, of Hochschule Ruhr-West & EBZ Business School in Bochum said: “Current models of accommodation designed for older people often make them feel excluded from society. A multigenerational scheme could help bridge a very real gap, helping older people, some of whom are highly trained in their respective fields, to still remain active and feeling useful, while giving the young vital contact with those of a different generation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr Chris Thomas, Milton Contact Limited, +44 (0)1223 440024, chris@miltoncontact.com
Areas for social interaction, communal activities, classes and events, in which the two generations can come together to share skills and life experiences, are included in the scheme.
Tollé, the architects with a base in Dusseldorf, want to build a sister project at the same time in the UK and are currently raising awareness of the project to prospective partners and supporters.
It is the aim of the architects to echo the considerable success they have enjoyed in the commercial sector to social projects and living environments.
Architect Sandra Tollé said: “A multigenerational complex such as Welkercampus creates a social living space and can be effective in fostering relationships that have been lost in some areas of our society for the mutual benefit of both young and old enjoying the interplay possible between generations.
“The scheme would help to ensure older people feel integrated and less isolated. Those young people with disabilities or special needs could also benefit greatly from living in an environment such as this with the support of dedicated agencies.
“Students would gain from sharing their skills and helping those with whom they are living alongside. Universities could also explore the possibilities of offering additional vocational and social studies to students who would use their experience of living in this environment to complement their learning.”
A campus has already been designed for 100 units on the site of a former home for the elderly in Duisburg, a town where there is a student population requiring accommodation. Potential sources for loans for the capital investment required have also been identified.
The design includes a hub for service providers to help and promote the benefits of the communal living scheme and to give support to those who need it so the social interaction is not just left to chance. Music, cookery, crafts, film, new technology are all areas that will be explored in encouraging the interplay of different generations.
The site covers approximately 1700sqm and includes flexible accommodation on three floors - with students in bedsit style units, but which could be adapted for couples or small families; and one bedroomed apartments on the ground floors for older people.
Professor Viktor Grinewitschus, of Hochschule Ruhr-West & EBZ Business School in Bochum said: “Current models of accommodation designed for older people often make them feel excluded from society. A multigenerational scheme could help bridge a very real gap, helping older people, some of whom are highly trained in their respective fields, to still remain active and feeling useful, while giving the young vital contact with those of a different generation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr Chris Thomas, Milton Contact Limited, +44 (0)1223 440024, chris@miltoncontact.com
Wednesday 21 August 2013
INVITATION Multi-Generational Living - Life Partners - The concept of a future worth living
17. September 2013, Wellings Parkhotel, Neuendickstrasse 96, 47475 Kamp-Lintfort, Germany
Admittedly - this is not a novel idea. Three years ago, representatives of the Student Union brought this project to the table with the STATTBAU GmbH in Berlin. The approach - students and senior citizens supporting each other in a common living space. At that point in time, the senior citizens in particular had great reservations...
Since then, the framework conditions have moved on. According to STATTBAU, the senior citizens had undergone a change in mindset; pilot projects on a shared llifestyle were successful. The demand for social housing is huge for the coming years. A student/senior citizen residential accommodation is thus a key to creating a "better quality of living" within these "constraints".
The result - LIFE PARTNERS: Students and seniors supporting one another in everyday life – sharing energy, ideals, experience, in short - a zest for life.
In collaboration with WELKER FOUNDATION Duisburg, we have developed a concept for a former care home for the elderly in Duisburg and had it evaluated.
The German PARITÄTISCHE WOHLFAHRTSVERBAND (Charities Association) - the INSTITUT FÜR ARBEIT UND TECHNIK (Institute for work and technology) - the BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR VERKEHR, BAU UND STADTENTWICKLUNG (BMVBS) (Federal Ministry of transport, building and Urban Affairs) came to the same conclusion:
The concept is not just a "nice idea" but economically and socially cost-effective.
We want to introduce precisely this approach to our target audience: For cooperatives, housing associations, municipal construction companies, towns and communities. It is not just pure theory, but can become reality with your help, in appropriate locations and within a very short timescale.
The following presentations will proved a scientific introduction within the context of our theme of "MultiGenerationalLiving":
"Modern technology for MultiGenerationalLiving"
by Prof. Dr. Viktor Grinewitschus, (Institute of energy systems and energy management of the University of Ruhr-West)
"Living - young and old"
by Michael Cirkel, (Institute for Work and Technology - Gelsenkirchen)
There will also be a finance presentation on:
“Routes to financing using public funding”
By Stefan Kunz, Funding Advisor of the NRW Bank & Jürgen Jankowski, Funding Advisor of the NRW Bank, Social Housing Funding
The audience will include German representatives from communities, mayors, social services, housing associations, headteachers, universities and student organisations.
UK delegates in a relevant area or sector are welcome - Places are limited!
Whilst the conference language is German, translation services will be provided.
UK contact for more information:
Dr Chris Thomas, T: 01223 440024, E: chris@miltoncontact.com
Ambassador for Tollé Green Architecture
Admittedly - this is not a novel idea. Three years ago, representatives of the Student Union brought this project to the table with the STATTBAU GmbH in Berlin. The approach - students and senior citizens supporting each other in a common living space. At that point in time, the senior citizens in particular had great reservations...
The result - LIFE PARTNERS: Students and seniors supporting one another in everyday life – sharing energy, ideals, experience, in short - a zest for life.
In collaboration with WELKER FOUNDATION Duisburg, we have developed a concept for a former care home for the elderly in Duisburg and had it evaluated.
The German PARITÄTISCHE WOHLFAHRTSVERBAND (Charities Association) - the INSTITUT FÜR ARBEIT UND TECHNIK (Institute for work and technology) - the BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR VERKEHR, BAU UND STADTENTWICKLUNG (BMVBS) (Federal Ministry of transport, building and Urban Affairs) came to the same conclusion:
The concept is not just a "nice idea" but economically and socially cost-effective.
We want to introduce precisely this approach to our target audience: For cooperatives, housing associations, municipal construction companies, towns and communities. It is not just pure theory, but can become reality with your help, in appropriate locations and within a very short timescale.
The following presentations will proved a scientific introduction within the context of our theme of "MultiGenerationalLiving":
"Modern technology for MultiGenerationalLiving"
by Prof. Dr. Viktor Grinewitschus, (Institute of energy systems and energy management of the University of Ruhr-West)
"Living - young and old"
by Michael Cirkel, (Institute for Work and Technology - Gelsenkirchen)
There will also be a finance presentation on:
“Routes to financing using public funding”
By Stefan Kunz, Funding Advisor of the NRW Bank & Jürgen Jankowski, Funding Advisor of the NRW Bank, Social Housing Funding
The audience will include German representatives from communities, mayors, social services, housing associations, headteachers, universities and student organisations.
UK delegates in a relevant area or sector are welcome - Places are limited!
Whilst the conference language is German, translation services will be provided.
UK contact for more information:
Dr Chris Thomas, T: 01223 440024, E: chris@miltoncontact.com
Ambassador for Tollé Green Architecture
Tuesday 13 August 2013
Cementing a Greener Reputation in Construction
There are some things that we just take for granted. Like the material that is below you, around you, above you as you sit sheltered, working indoors. Not the air. Concrete. Such a dull, yet ubiquitous material. Till you realise that if you removed it, modern civilisation would cease to exist as our cities and homes came tumbling down (whilst simultaneously improving our carbon footprint).
My epiphany about this material came when I heard David Ball (FCMI MCS FRSA, chairman of David Ball Group PLC) put forward his entertaining pitch to the Chairman of the Technology Strategy Board, at the recent Cleantech event “Influencing the TSB’s Strategy for Innovation in the UK Cleantech Sector”, Spring 2013. David was talking about a revolutionary new way to make cement with a much lower carbon footprint.
Simplistically, concrete is made of aggregate or filler, held together by a matrix of cement. The cement is a binder that sets and hardens independently. It can be used as a mortar, or more commonly, in the production of concrete, by the addition of aggregate. Cements come in two broad categories, non-hydraulic and hydraulic. Hydraulic cements can set in and under water and are the more important. Typically, they are made up of a mixture of oxides and silicates, which bind together giving off heat. The most common cement is Ordinary Portland Cement, colloquially abbreviated to OPC in the industry.
As approximately 3 tons of concrete are produced annually per person and it contributes to about 5% of the global CO2 footprint. This is due to the way cement is manufactured: It requires heat to convert limestone, in the presence of silicates, to a product that is then ground to produce the cement. CO2 is also emitted chemically during the process. Roughly 40% of the CO2 comes from the heating process and 60% from the chemical reaction. Furthermore, concrete production utilises a lot of water. Heat is generated on setting and the thermal expansion means that concrete is generally cast with construction joints.
Understandably, the industry is under pressure to reduce its CO2 production and find alternatives for OPC. Existing solutions include Energetically Modified Cement. BRE is currently also coming to the end of Project Aether this year, aiming to find more carbon friendly solutions.
A recent high profile project in London demonstrates progress in the right direction. The Shard has a basement slab comprising 5,600m3 of concrete containing 80% GGBS (ground-granulated blast-furnace slag) cement replacement. It was cast over a weekend on a continuous delivery program with NO construction joints. Removing construction joint makes for a more stable product requiring less steel.
So where does David Ball come in? Since starting the David Ball Group in 1970, he has been a serial entrepreneur, retaining a central core of expertise in cement and concrete. David is Director of the Concrete Society and actively involved in BRE and the industry’s BSI technical committee for BS8102:2009.
When such an active and informed mind turned to the problem of reducing concrete’s carbon foot print and increasing its performance, it resulted in action. David’s in-depth knowledge around the subject led him to begin experimenting in the kitchen, and later in the lab. He was looking at combinations of materials that might be used to create a better OPC free cement.
The trials bore fruit and the company took on expanding and developing the new material that is to become known as CemFree.
Due to IP protection, the finer details of CemFree production are still not public. However, detailed property measurements are in the public domain and CemFree can be seen in construction and use at the David Ball Group premises.
The key features of CemFree include:
As a result of his work, David Ball and his group were Regional Winners at the annual Shell Springboard event in April 2013, for their novel low carbon cement based concrete.
Because of David’s research, extensive testing and comparison of his new material to equivalent conventional cements for concrete, the David Ball Group is now open to interest in applying this innovative product.
Contact: http://www.davidballgroup.co.uk/site/
Ref: http://www.cipremier.com/e107_files/downloads/Papers/100/37/100037004.pdf
Simplistically, concrete is made of aggregate or filler, held together by a matrix of cement. The cement is a binder that sets and hardens independently. It can be used as a mortar, or more commonly, in the production of concrete, by the addition of aggregate. Cements come in two broad categories, non-hydraulic and hydraulic. Hydraulic cements can set in and under water and are the more important. Typically, they are made up of a mixture of oxides and silicates, which bind together giving off heat. The most common cement is Ordinary Portland Cement, colloquially abbreviated to OPC in the industry.
As approximately 3 tons of concrete are produced annually per person and it contributes to about 5% of the global CO2 footprint. This is due to the way cement is manufactured: It requires heat to convert limestone, in the presence of silicates, to a product that is then ground to produce the cement. CO2 is also emitted chemically during the process. Roughly 40% of the CO2 comes from the heating process and 60% from the chemical reaction. Furthermore, concrete production utilises a lot of water. Heat is generated on setting and the thermal expansion means that concrete is generally cast with construction joints.
Understandably, the industry is under pressure to reduce its CO2 production and find alternatives for OPC. Existing solutions include Energetically Modified Cement. BRE is currently also coming to the end of Project Aether this year, aiming to find more carbon friendly solutions.
A recent high profile project in London demonstrates progress in the right direction. The Shard has a basement slab comprising 5,600m3 of concrete containing 80% GGBS (ground-granulated blast-furnace slag) cement replacement. It was cast over a weekend on a continuous delivery program with NO construction joints. Removing construction joint makes for a more stable product requiring less steel.
So where does David Ball come in? Since starting the David Ball Group in 1970, he has been a serial entrepreneur, retaining a central core of expertise in cement and concrete. David is Director of the Concrete Society and actively involved in BRE and the industry’s BSI technical committee for BS8102:2009.
When such an active and informed mind turned to the problem of reducing concrete’s carbon foot print and increasing its performance, it resulted in action. David’s in-depth knowledge around the subject led him to begin experimenting in the kitchen, and later in the lab. He was looking at combinations of materials that might be used to create a better OPC free cement.
The trials bore fruit and the company took on expanding and developing the new material that is to become known as CemFree.
Due to IP protection, the finer details of CemFree production are still not public. However, detailed property measurements are in the public domain and CemFree can be seen in construction and use at the David Ball Group premises.
The key features of CemFree include:
- A 95% reduction in Carbon emissions during production of CemFree
- Low heat generation during curing
- Low shrinkage (c. 0.5mm/m)
- High compressive strength (10 MPa at 1 day, 30 MPa at 7 days, 44 MPa at 28 days)
- Low water demand
As a result of his work, David Ball and his group were Regional Winners at the annual Shell Springboard event in April 2013, for their novel low carbon cement based concrete.
Because of David’s research, extensive testing and comparison of his new material to equivalent conventional cements for concrete, the David Ball Group is now open to interest in applying this innovative product.
Contact: http://www.davidballgroup.co.uk/site/
Ref: http://www.cipremier.com/e107_files/downloads/Papers/100/37/100037004.pdf
Sunday 23 June 2013
Tollé GmbH: Seeking better solutions for ageing populations
The Tollés are currently interested in looking at new forms of architecture and living that take account of the changing demographics of an increasingly ageing population. During my visit in Düsseldorf, we met up with an expert in the field.
Dr Michael Cirkel, ITA (Institute für Arbeit und Technik, Institute for Work and Technology) published an interesting paper in 2011. Like many nations, Germany is seeing an ageing population AND an expected shortfall in highly qualified staff.
This has multiple effects for employers and working conditions. As the market for experienced personnel gets scarce, there is more pressure for employees to be more family friendly. However, other changes are needed. Since most careers for elderly relatives are in employment, their needs also need to be catered for. Furthermore, new strategies will be required to ensure companies remain innovative whilst having an older workforce.
The issues are currently suppressed by the economic situation but will resurface again as we come out of recession.
For us within the Tollé group, we also want to find solutions for an ageing population, that allow us to live independently longer. Institutional care is unlikely to match growth or even be desirable. We are actively pursuing novel solutions, with expert help, hence our link to Michael Cirkel.
Michael's paper is M. Circle & P. re, Enste11: Smart Ageing - der Spagat zwischen Pflege und Beruf: vom Umgang mit der alternden Belegschaft. Internet-Dokument. Gelsenkirchen: Inst. Arbeit und Technik. Forschung Aktuell, Nr. 01/2011
Other articles from visit to Tollé GmbH in June 2013:
Tollé GmbH off to a running start
How German banks support business
Dr Michael Cirkel, ITA (Institute für Arbeit und Technik, Institute for Work and Technology) published an interesting paper in 2011. Like many nations, Germany is seeing an ageing population AND an expected shortfall in highly qualified staff.
Photo: Leif, Sandra and Michael
This has multiple effects for employers and working conditions. As the market for experienced personnel gets scarce, there is more pressure for employees to be more family friendly. However, other changes are needed. Since most careers for elderly relatives are in employment, their needs also need to be catered for. Furthermore, new strategies will be required to ensure companies remain innovative whilst having an older workforce.
The issues are currently suppressed by the economic situation but will resurface again as we come out of recession.
For us within the Tollé group, we also want to find solutions for an ageing population, that allow us to live independently longer. Institutional care is unlikely to match growth or even be desirable. We are actively pursuing novel solutions, with expert help, hence our link to Michael Cirkel.
Michael's paper is M. Circle & P. re, Enste11: Smart Ageing - der Spagat zwischen Pflege und Beruf: vom Umgang mit der alternden Belegschaft. Internet-Dokument. Gelsenkirchen: Inst. Arbeit und Technik. Forschung Aktuell, Nr. 01/2011
Other articles from visit to Tollé GmbH in June 2013:
Tollé GmbH off to a running start
How German banks support business
Wednesday 19 June 2013
The UK and Europe: Where can we go?
In the current economic climate, fractures are visible in Europe and a eurosceptic British population is looking towards a promised future referendum which may see the UK opt out of the EU.
Is in or out of the EU the only solution?
I recently attended a meeting organised by the German British Forum in London. The annual conference looked at the issues of the European Single Market and the future of British manufacturing.
Five key points came up:
The solution proposed by the Right Honourable Lord Owen, is that the structure of the EU and the single market is reorganised.
This can be done through the amendment of existing treaties and agreements. The result would be a strengthened European Economic Area for the single market, with the nations within and without of the Eurozone. Those countries wishing closer political and economic union could continue to strive towards that goal.
For a more detailed report see: http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-uk-eu-relationship-divorce.html
For a blog and photo report on the Venue, Stationers’ Hall, see: http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/stationers-hall-brief-visit-to-london.html
Is in or out of the EU the only solution?
I recently attended a meeting organised by the German British Forum in London. The annual conference looked at the issues of the European Single Market and the future of British manufacturing.
Five key points came up:
- The economies of the UK and Germany are improving.
- Britain’s place is better off within the single market.
- There is less enthusiasm for the Euro and full economic and political union.
- Business needs long term political stability NOT uncertainty.
- There is a solution to the conundrum.
The solution proposed by the Right Honourable Lord Owen, is that the structure of the EU and the single market is reorganised.
This can be done through the amendment of existing treaties and agreements. The result would be a strengthened European Economic Area for the single market, with the nations within and without of the Eurozone. Those countries wishing closer political and economic union could continue to strive towards that goal.
For a more detailed report see: http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-uk-eu-relationship-divorce.html
For a blog and photo report on the Venue, Stationers’ Hall, see: http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/stationers-hall-brief-visit-to-london.html
Tuesday 28 May 2013
Tollé's Team Building at Kamp Lintfort
I was going to meet the team! That and the address of the hotel was all I really knew. Sandra and Leif Tolle had been involved in a whirlwind of activity in the past months. The new Düsseldorf office was now up and running. This was going to be the opportunity for colleagues from Verden, Düsseldorf and of course Cambridge to get to know each other.
Driving my Mother's old but trusty Audi, I found the Wellings Parkhotel in the ancient town of Kamp Lintfort, Germany. It was good to meet up again with Sandra & Leif.
They had to disappear briefly for a catch-up from a prior meeting and this was a great opportunity to resume my friendship with their daughter by trying out the Hotel's range of small exercise toys. Scattered throughout the corridor outside the seminar room were devices to test your balance. It was almost with regret that we parted so the actual team building could go ahead with the adults.
Eric Borges was tasked with bringing this geographically-, personality- and skill-diverse collection of individuals together. We were 12 in all: Architects, project managers, designers, external contractors and office support. I was very familiar with the concept of such events from my Dale Carnegie days. You can always learn something new, tackle challenges and, above all, have fun together. Two of Eric's exercises are embedded in my mind as achieving these goals.
"Blind Scribe" is my name for the first exercise. Each team of six was tasked with using 6 ropes to write the five letter word 'More' as accurately as possible, whilst blindfolded. We did have a trial period of 20 minutes with one rope to come up with a strategy.
"Parallel Construction" was our last exercise. Given identical materials, our two teams had to build vehicles as similar as possible. Only one communicator from each team was allowed exchange information verbally with the other - and without seeing each other's work. In the end we had to admit: Though we had originated the idea of a flood navigating raft, with great stability and integrity, the vehicle created by Holger, Wolfgang, Markus, Eva, Marius & Sandra, had more style.
Most importantly; we now could put names to faces; we had shared laughter and competition; we had broken down barriers to future communication. Note that all the German participants had given up a Friday before a long holiday weekend for this full day activity - not something everyone is willing to do.
Thanks to Leif & Sandra for organising this event. I think the farewell photo says it all!
I travelled to Germany by train this time, instead of flying. The journey is described in conversations and pictures here:
http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/a-trans-national-train-journey-in.html
Driving my Mother's old but trusty Audi, I found the Wellings Parkhotel in the ancient town of Kamp Lintfort, Germany. It was good to meet up again with Sandra & Leif.
View over the small lake of the Wellings Parkhotel
They had to disappear briefly for a catch-up from a prior meeting and this was a great opportunity to resume my friendship with their daughter by trying out the Hotel's range of small exercise toys. Scattered throughout the corridor outside the seminar room were devices to test your balance. It was almost with regret that we parted so the actual team building could go ahead with the adults.Eric Borges was tasked with bringing this geographically-, personality- and skill-diverse collection of individuals together. We were 12 in all: Architects, project managers, designers, external contractors and office support. I was very familiar with the concept of such events from my Dale Carnegie days. You can always learn something new, tackle challenges and, above all, have fun together. Two of Eric's exercises are embedded in my mind as achieving these goals.
"Blind Scribe" is my name for the first exercise. Each team of six was tasked with using 6 ropes to write the five letter word 'More' as accurately as possible, whilst blindfolded. We did have a trial period of 20 minutes with one rope to come up with a strategy.
The opposition debates whether the letter "L" is in the word "More" during their planning exercise
Now, I do not want to give our secrets away, suffice it to say that our team (Angelika, Anton, Laura, Leif, Ralph and myself) clearly had the better solution. Our rapid-fire brainstorming and trialing resulted in a strategy where Anton and I developed an intimate knowledge of our other team members legs and feet by touch. Fired on by shouts of encouragement and great hilarity all round, we clearly achieved a very legible written out 'More'.
What "more" can you say? Exactly as we had intended of course, despite Eric's reservations!
our Mark I
The design improved Mark II
Most importantly; we now could put names to faces; we had shared laughter and competition; we had broken down barriers to future communication. Note that all the German participants had given up a Friday before a long holiday weekend for this full day activity - not something everyone is willing to do.
Thanks to Leif & Sandra for organising this event. I think the farewell photo says it all!
I travelled to Germany by train this time, instead of flying. The journey is described in conversations and pictures here:
http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/a-trans-national-train-journey-in.html
Wednesday 24 April 2013
Peterborough City and its housing strategy
As a city, Peterborough has aspirations for growth, raising the overall skill level within the city and attracting more influx of workers, residents and students. In particular, the city is working towards becoming the centre for cleantech and environment and has just received £3 from the Technology Strategy Board to assist its Future City ideas (http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/news/latest_news/2013/april/peterborough_secures_%C2%A33million.aspx). The city’s aspirations are summarised in the comprehensive Peterborough Core Strategy Development Plan Document (2011) at http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/pdf/Plan-policy-ldf-cs-adoptedCS.pdf.
Photo: Peterborough Hampton
Peterborough conducts a regular Strategic Housing Market Assessment. The first one was published in 2008 and an update was completed in 2010.: http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/pdf/housing-shma-peterboroughhna_part1.pdf.
With the help of this and similar documents, Peterborough can identify the needs for successful housing growth and development. Current planning is over 15 years, with a review planned in 2014/2015 to take the city up to 2031.
Affordable homes UK
Affordable Homes Peterborough
In line with the rest of the UK, Peterborough has to tackle a lack of affordable housing. According to the finding of the 2010 SHMA update the city currently requires 1008 new affordable homes per year to meet current and newly arising housing need. Peterborough City Council itself does not own any stock; 10,000 properties had been transferred to the Cross Keys Homes housing association in 2004 following a ballot of tenants to decide on their landlord. The construction of affordable homes therefore has to come from the housing association sector.
Peterborough City Council influences the provision of affordable homes through its requirement, that new developments of 15 dwellings or more should contain 30% affordable homes. However, this is viewed pragmatically and with a certain degree of flexibility so that the overall ratio is achieved. Housing associations can also benefit from recycled capital grant funding, where the proceeds of sales of existing properties built with funding in the past are used to build new affordable homes.
In 2011-2012, 767 (gross) houses were built in Peterborough, of which 114 were affordable homes and suggested figures for 2012-2013 are circa 770 homes in total of which 276 homes have been confirmed as affordable homes. Present and future figures (i.e. after this article) can be found at http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/housing/housing_strategy_team/affordable_housing_delivery.aspx.
One of the upcoming developments is the “Vista” development by Morris Homes, a Carbon Challenge Site at Code 6 where 256 homes are to be built. Forty per cent of the homes – 72 houses and 48 apartments – will be offered under social rented or shared ownership terms to people on the housing needs list. This is enabled by a grant of £7.8 million from the HCA’s National Affordable Housing Programme 2009/10. http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/news/latest_news/2011/february/peterborough_leads_%E2%80%98zero_carbo.aspx.
A recent change making an impact on affordable rental homes is that, where these were previously set as “social rents” or “target rents”, the calculation has now been replaced with “affordable rents”. Affordable rents can be set at a maximum of 80% of the market value and are therefore higher than previously. An illustration is given here http://www.guinnesspartnership.com/~/media/files/Publications/Guinness%20South/Leaflets/Affordable_Rents_explained_Fact_Sheet_Final.ashx.
Housing for Students and Senior Citizens in Peterborough
Currently most of the students are existing residents of Peterborough. The first privately built student’s residence is Taverners Hall with 54 units (http://www.tavernershall.co.uk/). As Peterborough becomes established, demand by an influx of students from beyond Peterborough will expand.
For those looking towards enjoying retirement, there is also the thought about the additional needs and care that may arise with increasing years. One of the solutions is Extra Care which offers self contained apartments within a designated complex. The ideal is to ensure that these include a mix of social spaces, shops, restaurants and activities near the accommodation. There are currently five extra care schemes in Peterborough providing a total of 231 units of accommodation. A further scheme for 79 units of extra care is currently under construction and should be completed in the early part of 2014/15.
Summary
Tuesday 9 April 2013
Applying Passivhaus to Retrofit Projects seminar at Ecobuild ‘13
Guest Blog by Jane Thomas
This is a personal summary based on the Passivhaus seminar, ‘Applying Passivhaus to Retrofit Projects’ at Ecobuild 2013 and of the data analysis report put together by the Technology Strategy Board: ‘Retrofit Revealed – The Retrofit for the Future projects data analysis report’ . http://www.innovateuk.org/_assets/pdf/publications/6231%20TSB%20Retrofit%20for%20the%20future%20AW5.pdf
It was followed by a presentation of various facts and figures drawn from a few of the case studies.
Retrofit Revealed – The Retrofit for the Future projects data analysis report
The information presented the first analysis of data collated from the Technology Strategy Board’s Retrofit for the Future programme, and a review of the final reports submitted by the Retrofit for the Future project teams.The Retrofit for the Future competition acted as a catalyst for the retrofit of homes across the UK, with an ambition of achieving an 80% reduction in the in-use CO2 emissions of each property. The properties were mainly two-storey dwellings, with a couple of bungalows included too. All homes had two or more bedrooms. A total of 86 projects were awarded funding of up to £150,000 each to demonstrate just what could be achieved.
Analysis of monitoring data provided by the Retrofit for the Future project teams aimed to:
- identify the energy and carbon performance achieved by Retrofit for the Future projects
- explore whether this performance is being achieved at the expense of other factors, such as occupant comfort or satisfaction
- identify common success factors, lessons and challenges from the delivery of Retrofit for the Future projects, to provide insights to the industry.
Key Findings
Of 37 properties included in the analysis, three achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to over 80% compared with 1990 average levels. A further 23 achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to between 50% and 80%.The analysis shows a strong correlation between good air-tightness and lower CO2 emissions.
The data also suggests that air-tightness and emissions reductions are usually being achieved without compromising the comfort of residents. Almost all of the properties in the analysis stayed within comfortable boundaries for temperature and relative humidity. The analysis also considers energy costs.
Keys to a successful retrofit project: Project Planning; Site Management; Understanding Supply Chains and Working closely with residents.
Perceived comfort can be improved:
(Source: Retrofit for the Future Projects data analysis report)
Common Challenges
Various challenges were encountered by the retrofit teams, though others managed to overcome most of the problems. These included:- Lack of competition, choice or availability of products and services
- Supply chain skills, quality and integration
- Unexpected changes to project team
- Site issues
- Planning
- Residents and their neighbours
- Cost overruns and delays
Other issues identified by a smaller number of project teams included:
- poor quality data or records relating to the property
- having to deal with multi-tenanted properties
- challenges around modelling, particularly where interventions are not included in SAP
- difficulties sourcing and working with monitoring equipment
- identifying and providing low energy appliances
- Procurement issues, for example working with a framework agreement with a limited choice of (non-specialist) suppliers.
Some challenges remain, however, and these may need intervention at a more strategic level:
- Local planning was an obstacle for many projects. Local approaches to planning help to create and preserve vibrant individual communities; however, lack of consistency in decision-making, uncertainty over what is permitted development, and the time and resources needed to secure planning permission presented challenges to Retrofit for the Future project teams
- Many of the product markets are immature, either in the UK or globally. Price volatility affected project budgets and long or delayed lead-in times were frequently blamed for project overruns. If low-carbon retrofit is to scale-up in line with Government ambitions, then product markets need to mature rapidly
- The supply chain for delivering whole-house low-carbon retrofit could face capacity issues as demand grows, and there will likely be opportunities for new players. In Belfast, the Grove Housing Association project significantly influenced the supply chain in Northern Ireland, such that there are now twelve businesses operating in the low-carbon retrofit sector, whereas previously there were none.
The Future
The analysis suggests that there are considerable challenges ahead for the retrofit market. Equally, it has identified some concrete examples of innovation, and further opportunities for product and service development.To support the development of a thriving retrofit market in the UK, the Technology Strategy Board has made the full data set from Retrofit for the Future available through a database called ‘embed’. This database provides a valuable resource for anyone considering a retrofit project. It can be accessed via http://www.retrofitanalysis.org (Registration required).
To understand more about the relationship between costs and carbon reductions, the TSB has launched the ‘Scaling-Up Retrofit of the Nation’s Homes competition’, which aims to stimulate significant cuts in CO2 emissions from existing homes.
The main retrofit analysis report can be viewed here.
Example Case Studies
The Oxford Whole House study is mentioned in the report. I found the other two via internet research.The Hounslow Council Passivhaus Retrofit
Using the Passivhaus Planning Package, bere:architects took a fabric‐first approach to the retrofit. The monitored data (appendix 6 & 7) demonstrates that this approach has worked very well in achieving a massive reduction in overall energy consumption, mainly by means of reducing the Specific Space Heating Demand of the house.The details of the Hounslow Council Passivhaus Retrofit can be viewed as a report here: http://www.bere.co.uk/sites/default/files/research/371gr%20130109jb%20RftF_Final_Report%20%28anonymised%29.pdf
Hockerton Housing Project
HHP has refurbished two homes in Newark, using low tech durable solutions including insulation, passive solar heating and community renewable energy to deliver 80% cuts in carbon emissions.Information about the Hockerton Housing Project Retrofit can be viewed here: http://www.hockertonhousingproject.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Case-Study-Retrofit-vOct2010.pdf
Oxford Whole House Carbon Reduction Project
This Oxford City Council Victorian semi-detached house in Nelson Street with two rear extensions added in 1972 and 2003, was described as a very cold house by the residents, especially the first floor bathroom that had three exposed external walls and a roof. Retrofit achieved a reduction in CO2 emmissions of 80.7%.Information about the Oxford Whole House Carbon Reduction Project can be found here: http://architecture.brookes.ac.uk/research/lowcarbonbuilding/whole-house-carbon.html
Other Links
Low energy building database: http://www.retrofitforthefuture.org/Retrofit Analysis reports from Institute for Sustainability: http://www.instituteforsustainability.co.uk/retrofitanalsyis.html
Delivering and funding housing retrofit: a review of community models: http://www.instituteforsustainability.co.uk/housingretrofit.html
Air-tightedness Pre- and Post-Retrofit
(Source: Retrofit for the Future Projects data analysis report)
Friday 29 March 2013
A Miscellany of Funding and Tax Breaks in Cleantech/Sustainability
Introduction
I’ve heard some interesting talks giving examples of successful funding as well as hearing of a variety of funding opportunities. Below is a miscellany of insights I have come across. Some suggest sources of funding, others give examples of how individual companies gained their funding. Others may be added from time to time.
Grants and Funding Finder – Envirocluster Peterborough
This is a brilliant overview of grant and funding opportunities in the sustainable/cleantech sector!There were 126 different funding sources listed in March 2013 alone, so go and visit http://www.envirocluster.co.uk/knowledge-centre/funding/
Venture Capital
Presenter Aine Shaffrey, Greencoat Capital at Cleantech Route to Finance Event, 28.02.13Greencoat Capital is a Venture Capital investor in the renewables and cleantech sector. They are advisors to the ESB Novusmodus LP, a €200m cleantech fund. ESB, the leading Irish utility is the sole investor in the fund and provides Greencoat Capital with a unique platform of support and know-how.
Greencoat Capital have an EU focus and provide €3m to €20m equity investments. Their aim is to have a significant minority position and look towards to a 5+yr investment horizon.
- They do invest in development and commercialisation
- They do not support large infrastructure projects or one off projects
Joint Venture
Presenter Julian O’Neil, Finance Director, Biogen at Cleantech Route to Finance Event, 28.02.13Biogen is the No 1 food waste anaerobic digestion operator in the UK. Their route to £24m Joint Venture funding resulted in a good partnership with the Keir construction group.
To gain the trust and positive involvement of a larger funding partner in a Joint Venture, the key lessons were:
- Your demonstrated excellence and expertise is critical
- Have a proven track record of success
- Know your business model
- Be the one everyone wants to work with
AD (Anaerobic Digestion) Loan Fund, Defra
I came across this one by chance whilst browsing the web re Anaerobic Digetsion.The Anaerobic Digestion Loan Fund (ADLF) is a £10m fund designed to support the development of new AD capacity in England. The fund aims to support 300,000 tonnes of annual capacity to divert food waste from landfill by 2015.
The ADLF offers direct financial support to organisations building new AD capacity in England. http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/ad-loan-fund
Crowd Funding
Crowd funding is a new idea which relies on getting large numbers of small investors to provide capital. An example in the green energy sector is Abundance https://www.abundancegeneration.com/
A general overview can be found here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_funding
Peter Magowan talked us through the investment history of Amantys, a company set up specialising in power switching, e.g. in electric vehicle and high voltage DC. The company started with a single Angel investor to provide seed money. Once the system was established, more funding was required to expand. They excited the interest of two investors, ARM and Moonray Investors. Success in getting investment was due the combination of a demonstrable product with potential for growth and synergies with Moonray who already had an energy interest in the form of Moonray Energy.
Investors
Presenter Peter Magowan, Amantys at Cleantech Route to Finance Event, 28.02.13Peter Magowan talked us through the investment history of Amantys, a company set up specialising in power switching, e.g. in electric vehicle and high voltage DC. The company started with a single Angel investor to provide seed money. Once the system was established, more funding was required to expand. They excited the interest of two investors, ARM and Moonray Investors. Success in getting investment was due the combination of a demonstrable product with potential for growth and synergies with Moonray who already had an energy interest in the form of Moonray Energy.
Low Carbon KEEP Programme
Presenter Carole Randall, Low Carbon KEEP Programme Manager, Envirocluster Meeting 13.02.13Until December 2014, there will be €7.6m of funding for business collaborating with any UK institution. To date 38 projects have been approved in all business sectors.
The funding is accessible to SMEs in Essex, Suffolk, Herts, Beds, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire and can be used with any university/research centre in the UK.
The benefits are as follows:
- To business
- To our knowledge base
- To the graduate employed as part of the process
Low Carbon Innovation Fund
Presenter Laura Chellis, UEA, Low Carbon Innovation Fund at Envirocluster event 12.09.12The Low Carbon Innovation Fund (LCIF) is a venture capital fund supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It received £12.5m from the ERDF which will be matched with over £17m private sector investment – generating a total over £30m of investment in the East of England. The Fund runs until December 2015.
https://www.lowcarbonfund.co.uk/LCIF/Index.action
The fund makes early-stage equity investments into small and medium sized enterprises ("SMEs") within the East of England that are developing new and innovative products or processes in a low carbon, environmentally sensitive manner.
R&D Tax Credits and Patent Box
Presenter Kevin Edwards, MHA MacIntyre Hudson, Envirocluster Meeting 13.02.13R&D Tax Credits
The UK Government wishes to help innovative businesses and has therefore created R&D Relief schemes. If your company is liable to pay Corporation Tax then you may be able to reduce your tax bill (see http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ct/forms-rates/claims/randd.htm).In particular, the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Scheme, for every £100 you spend on qualifying costs, you could receive an additional £125 relief from Corporation Tax. Some of the relevant features are (not exclusive):
- Only companies can apply
- The relief is retrospective
- The research has to be innovative, leading either to appreciable improvement or built in a fundamentally different manner.
- You need a competent professional in the field
- Must be able to document methodology, process and results.
- Staffing
- Software or consumables
- Sub-contracted R&D (-65% of labour costs)
- Externally provided workers.
Patent Box
From the 1st April 2013, HM Treasury is introducing the Patent Box scheme, where companies can apply a reduced 10% Corporation Tax rate on profits from Patents and similar types of intellectual property. (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/patent_box.htm).Third Party Assistance with getting funding
Example Team Ventures
Presenter Simon Haworth, Team Ventures, at Cleantech Route to Finance Event, 28.02.13Dr Simon Haworth founded Team Ventures Ltd, the European operation of BSG Team Ventures, and leads the Biotechnology and Cleantech practices for BSG Team Ventures worldwide. He also founded European early stage investor IPSO Ventures PLC and uses this experience to lead their Fundraising activities.
They build teams typically starting with the CEO or Board Chairman, and source equity for companies best able to use it. Their UK-based fundraising service sources new capital for growing companies - typically seeking $5m+ from US and UK sources.
Simon is also very knowledgeable about opportunities for new businesses accessing resources in China.
http://team-ventures.co.uk/simon-haworth.html
Example CSG - Capital Solutions Group
Presenter Colin Hayter, CSG at Envirocluster Event 12.09.12CSG provided finance and routes to bring buyers and sellers together. The example given at this event was the BigBelly bin, where they had a 60% investment. BigBelly linked to councils who achieved a 90% saving on collection costs (http://www.bigbellysolar.co.uk/). http://www.csg-lease.co.uk/
Example Dr Alex Smeets, Cambridge Funding Solutions
Met at Cleantech event "Influencing the TSB’s Strategy for Innovation in the UK Cleantech Sector" 23.04.13
Previous articles on Tollé activities
Over the past year, I wrote a series of articles relating to activities for Tollé Green Architecture in my Miltoncontact blog. Below is a listing with the first paragraph for each article and the chance to follow a link to the full text.
Photo: Wimpole Hall during our visit there together
THURSDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2012
I had a meeting with the TSB in London, about the future for business in sustainable construction. What's more, they not only wanted to hear my opinions on problems to be tackled, they even offered a pot of 50m GBP I could tap into! Read More at http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/investing-time-and-money-in-sustainable.html
The SHIFT conference on Fuel Poverty-Identifying Solutions took place on 28th September 2012, in the Church House Conference Centre, just a stone’s throw away from Westminster Abbey. Energy Experts, government departments and representatives from a variety of housing associations provided a wide breadth of speakers on the importance of fuel poverty as an important factor in social housing and tackling our future energy savings plans in the light of the Green Deal. Read more at http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/fuel-poverty-identifying-solutions-in-uk.html
A flat-lining EU economy, the construction industry in crisis. This is not a good time for an architect's visit to the UK, you might think. So why did Sandra & Leif Tollé come to Cambridge seeking meetings and with plans for a UK architectural practice (Tollé Green Architecture)? Add to this, their underlying ethos of social responsibility. Surely this was a no-brainer in the free-market UK economy currently led by a right-leaning government! Read more at
This year’s visit to Ecobuild in March on behalf of Tollé Green Architecture extended to two days due to the size of the exhibition and the interesting talks and seminars. A few personal impressions and images above follow.
The dramatic increase in popularity of Ecobuild 2012 was immediately apparent in the increasing crush on the Light Dockland’s Railway leading to Excel, where the event was taking place. Now the largest “green” exhibition in the world, Ecobuild 2012 filled both the exhibition halls of the venue. Read more at http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/looking-back-on-ecobuild-2012.html
Investing time and money in a sustainable future
THURSDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2012
I had a meeting with the TSB in London, about the future for business in sustainable construction. What's more, they not only wanted to hear my opinions on problems to be tackled, they even offered a pot of 50m GBP I could tap into! Read More at http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/investing-time-and-money-in-sustainable.html
Fuel poverty-identifying solutions in the UK
MONDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2012The SHIFT conference on Fuel Poverty-Identifying Solutions took place on 28th September 2012, in the Church House Conference Centre, just a stone’s throw away from Westminster Abbey. Energy Experts, government departments and representatives from a variety of housing associations provided a wide breadth of speakers on the importance of fuel poverty as an important factor in social housing and tackling our future energy savings plans in the light of the Green Deal. Read more at http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/fuel-poverty-identifying-solutions-in-uk.html
Germany-EoE links via Tollé Green Architecture
TUESDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2012A flat-lining EU economy, the construction industry in crisis. This is not a good time for an architect's visit to the UK, you might think. So why did Sandra & Leif Tollé come to Cambridge seeking meetings and with plans for a UK architectural practice (Tollé Green Architecture)? Add to this, their underlying ethos of social responsibility. Surely this was a no-brainer in the free-market UK economy currently led by a right-leaning government! Read more at
Looking back on Ecobuild 2012
THURSDAY, 17 MAY 2012This year’s visit to Ecobuild in March on behalf of Tollé Green Architecture extended to two days due to the size of the exhibition and the interesting talks and seminars. A few personal impressions and images above follow.
The dramatic increase in popularity of Ecobuild 2012 was immediately apparent in the increasing crush on the Light Dockland’s Railway leading to Excel, where the event was taking place. Now the largest “green” exhibition in the world, Ecobuild 2012 filled both the exhibition halls of the venue. Read more at http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/looking-back-on-ecobuild-2012.html
Tollé Architects, visiting a great practice in Verden, Germany
MONDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 2012
Whilst Fritz-Dieter Tollé Architektur reads like a recommendation in German (Tollé looks like the German exclamation for Great!) it does happen to be apt, as I found out on my current visit to meet up with the next generation, Sandra and Leif Tollé on mutual business. Read more at http://miltoncontact.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/tolle-architects-visiting-great.html
Ambassador to Tollé Green Architecture Blog
Since February 2012, my initial contact with Leif & Sandra Tollé has expanded into a role representing Tollé Green Architecture in the UK . This blog will reflect interesting events, subjects and people that I encounter as an ambassador for Tollé Green Architecture. Tollé Green Architecture (www.tollegreenarchitecture.co.uk) is a long term venture by Sandra & Leif Tollé in the UK. It is an architecture company with sustainability, ethical and social interests that extend to forging cross border links that include training and research.
Photo: view from Ely Cathedral
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