West Bridgford in Transition - Time for change: Eco Houses Under Construction

The organisers of Transition West Bridgford’s Eco House Group have set up a new project called Eco Houses Under Construction so that interested professionals and members of the public can learn about and visit 2 new local eco houses at key stages of development as they are being created. Experts in different aspects of each project will be brought in to show and discuss the products and methods involved as the work progresses. The eco houses in question are a 1950’s house undergoing an eco-refurbishment and a timber frame new build.

Event 1 - Saturday 16th July at 12.30pm
This will give the architect’s perspective when designing an ultra-low energy refurbishment for a 1950’s brick house of solid wall construction. Anyone wishing to reserve a place and receive further details should email info@wbecohouses.co.uk. (These events are free)

Event 2 - Saturday 23rd July at 12.30pm
Architect Mike Siebert of Ecologic Homes Ltd. will talk about designing a low cost, high code new build using a timber frame construction. The frame arrives in early July and should be up by the date of the event! An expert from the building company, EcoFrames Ltd., will be on hand to demonstrate how this timber frame construction will provide insulation, air tightness and thermal mass while minimising cold bridging. The windows should also be in place and a representative of Benlowe Windows will talk about the properties of triple glazed windows suitable for use in Code 5+ homes. If the roof is on as well, there will be the chance to learn about wood fibre sarking boards and Sandtoft 20/20 sustainable tiles. To receive full details of this or any future event, email info@wbecohouses.co.uk.

The Eco Houses Under Construction project is supported by Groundwork East Midlands with funding from Communities and Local Government. It is the latest in a series of projects by Transition West Bridgford’s Eco House Group. For articles, case studies and information about previous events and open days, go to the website www.wbecohouses.co.uk.

12 Step plan

Set up a steering group and design it's demise from the outset. A core team to drive the project forward during the initial phases. Awareness raising. (see who is in the steering group)

Build crucial networks and prepare the community in general. Lay the foundations. Network with existing groups.
(pedals, Notts Wild life trust, Skills Exchange, WB Summer Gathering)

Organise the ‘great unleashing’. Create a memorable milestone to mark the project’s ‘coming of age’, moving the project into the community.

Form working groups. Set up smaller groups to focus on specific aspects of the process.

Use open space an effective approach to running meetings for Transition Initiatives.

Develop visible, practical manifestations of the project. Create practical, high visibility manifestations in your community.
(bike trailer hand out)

Facilitate the great re-skilling. Reverse the ‘great deskilling’ of the last 40 years by offering training in a range of skills.

Build a bridge to local government. Cultivate a positive and productive relationship with your local authority.

Honour the elders. Engage with those who remember the transition to cheap oil.

Let it go where it wants to go… Act as a catalyst for the community to design its own transition.

Create an Energy Descent Action Plan. Combine the practical actions to form the Energy Descent Action Plan.

West Bridgford in Transition - Time for change

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Eco Houses Under Construction - July events

12 Step plan

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