Biomimicry – sustainable solutions (Sept12)
I’m a great fan of Michael Pawlyn – from Exploration Architecture. I love his ideas and thinking. And so was keen to attend his Lignacite lecture at the Royal College of Physicians. Michael’s key theme is ‘biomimicry’ and his most recent book is ‘Biomimicry in Architecture‘ . And his speech was full of examples of […]
How efficient are energy efficiency schemes? (Jun12)
I wrote this article in June 2012 but am only posting it on my blog on 1st October, in advance of the introduction of the Green Deal. It seems that this government initiative is not being welcomed with open arms – I’m not surprised. I think that there’s ample room for improvement with Energy […]
FT Article written on Eco-renovating London flat (Apr12)
My article on eco-renovation was published in the House & Home section of the FT on 21st April, 2012. It’s explains how I set about greening my London flat – and the challenges I faced, despite being an eco-expert – see below for the original copy as written, followed by a pdf of what was […]
London Eco-flat near Portobello rd for rent (Apr12)
The flat is super energy-efficient, having reduced the carbon footprint by at least 59%, and it’s available to rent. Eco-features include bamboo and cork flooring, a kitchen worktop made from recycled glass bottles, a master switch for electrics, LED lighting throughout, a dedicated drying room for laundry, a home office space and a state of […]
My eco-renovated flat is available for rent (Apr12)
Eco-renovated flat – Main room – Jan12 I bought my flat, near Portobello Road, in 1986, with my sister. We shared it for the first couple of years, before she got married and moved out. We re-painted and re-carpeted it throughout but didn’t do much more than that. The kitchen was quite dated even […]
Recycling is not enough – we need more reuse of e-waste (Feb12)
E For Good is campaigning to Clear Out and Clean up electrical and electronic waste – website will be launched by March 2012.. Refurbished washing machines waiting to be reused – at Environcom site Melinda Watson and Julia Hailes – co-founders of E For Good First I should explain that e-waste is waste electrical and […]
E bikes are brilliant (Sept11)
We’ve had great fun with our E-bikes. I’ve been lent a couple for the Summer holidays from Just E Bikes. One’s a mountain bike – Haibike – which my teenage boys like the best. And the other is a Koga, which I prefer because it’s more comfortable, although not quite as powerful. The bikes […]
Eco-technologies at Home – Electric Green (Jun11)
This is a draft of article written for the FT – an edited edition was published in June 2011 – Eco Technologies at home – Electric Green. DRAFT ARTICLE Finding eco-technologies that have really good eco-credentials is harder than you might think. For example, I’m a bit cynical about bamboo mice for your computer and […]
Eco-scrutiny of my Eco-renovation
My London flat must be the most rigorously scrutinised property on the planet – in terms of its eco-performance. I’ve spent the last few months researching and specifying what eco-renovations are to be done – with help from green architect Jerry Tate. But this week, just before submitting an extensive tender document to builders, I […]
Becoming a Superhome (Apr11)
I’m trying to make my flat a SuperHome – a network of exemplar, old dwellings which have undergone an energy-efficiency retrofit. This means I have to improve its energy efficiency by over 60%. I’ve had the initial assessment done to show the starting point. It looks like I’ll be close to the mark when it’s finished but […]
Eco-building expansion (Mar11)
When Ecobuild started 5 years ago less than 200 people attended. This year they were expecting 50,000 but over 80,000 had registered before the event had even started. I’m not sure how many actually came over the 3 days, but getting there felt like being on one of those Japanese commuter trains, where they pack […]
Shops aren’t closing doors (Feb11)
I went into Jessops in Yeovil on a cold winter evening. The door of the shop was open and the hot air was being pumped out into the street. They’re not alone. When I looked up and down the precinct I realised that there were more shops with their doors open than closed. […]