[Sustainable Designs & Constructions in Domestic Extensions & Conversions;

Identifying the Problems and Possible Solutions]

By

Acknowledgement

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research supervisor, colleagues, peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgementii

DECLARATIONiii

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

Background1

Central Question2

Research Objectives2

Reliability2

Validity3

Ethical concerns4

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Prototype Home6

Embodied Energy Reduction13

Skills, Education and Training is Essential13

Access to Economic Rights14

Transformation15

Community Building15

References17

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION

Background

Research by Channel 4's The Home Show indicates that around 20,000 residential loft conversion projects are undertaken each year in the UK; with even more for house extensions.

Householders are able to convert their lofts and install rear extensions to their homes without having to seek planning permission. This new planning policy introduced on the 1st October 2008, has removed at least 80,000 householders from the planning system. Around 25% of all home development projects that currently require planning permission will be able to go ahead without formal authorisation from councils. There has been almost 330,000 householders planning application in the year 2007 (Telegraph 10th September 2008 publication) with around 90% granted approval. With this many development, most small-medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt traditional construction practices.

There is an increasing demand, in both the private and public sectors, to understand sustainable construction practices. Sustainable development is a core objective of UK and European government policy with the requirement that national CO2 emissions be cut by 20% by 2010 (based on 1990 levels).

Studies have been carried out on sustainable construction but are aimed at larger firms within the private and public construction sector; however the research proposal is to try and establish whether sustainable construction by SMEs within the private home improvement sector is viable?

Central Question

The central question is to research whether implementing sustainable construction methods and materials to domestic house extensions and loft conversions by SMEs is viable?

Research Objectives

Use life cycle costing to asses viability. For example looking at case studies of past building projects such as Sustainable Domestic Barn Conversion in Kings Langley.

Identifying principle stages such as . Design . Construction . Use

Insentives for implementing sustainable construction by Government/Local Authorities etc i.e Government approach for 0 vat for timber frame

The importance for sustainable design, construction and use.

Adapting the design to achive sustaniablility

Find out what legislation, if any, legislate sustainable construction methods and whether more legislation can be implemented to replace voluntary practice.

Whether sustainable construction methods and materials at design stage will have any effect on the feasibility of the project, and whether clients affect the decision making over types of materials and method of construction.

What effect using sustainable materials would have on the construction industry?

Reliability

In the evaluation of research, some methodological concerns arise. Perhaps most important are reliability and ...