Blueprint build for sustainable affordable housing

The initiative, to be delivered by Zero Waste Scotland and developers Tigh Grian, will aim to bring a sustainable housing model for families to the construction market.

Resource efficiency will be considered not just in the design and build, but throughout, offering greener lifestyle options and considering the need for sustainability in the eventual deconstruction of the property.

The design has been recently finalised and the house will be built to meet, and hopefully exceed, 2016 Scottish Building Standards Gold Performance Requirements, creating a model that can be scaled up.

The design is for an airtight and well-insulated property to help reduce home energy costs and achieve net zero carbon emissions.

The off-site modular construction method means greater control over cost, waste arisings and supply chain accreditation.

Scottish Minister for Housing & Welfare Margaret Burgess broke ground at the plot at the BRE Innovation Park at Ravenscraig, North Lanarkshire, marking the start of construction work.

“I am pleased to support this project, which will help to pave the way for the housing sector, informing it about the latest cutting edge sustainable construction methods and how they can be used to build high quality, green homes,” she said.

According to Zero Waste Scotland’s key account manager for construction Allan Sandilands, the project takes into account the full life-cycle of the construction process from cradle to grave and is an example of circular economy thinking in practice.

“The use of materials, water and energy has been considered at all stages, meaning that resource efficiency underpins every element, including the design, construction, lifestyle options and eventual deconstruction of the house,” he added.

Following completion, the house will remain on site for at least two years before being deconstructed in a resource efficient manner.

Maxine Perella