Long Sutton Development – Unity Gardens
Six households moved in to the Long Sutton earth sheltered housing on the 20th July. This cutting edge development of three three-bed and three two-bed houses is the result of a partnership between LRHA, Search Architects, Andrew Marston Associates and Robert Woodhead Ltd.
Search sets the ambitious aim of the development to revolutionise social housing management. Unity Gardens is amongst the first social housing schemes to achieve a degree of autonomy. The homes require almost no heating, have natural ventilation and can generate all of the householders energy requirements with none of the environmental impacts of using fossil fuels.
The renewable photo-voltaic technology on each property allow the tenants to generate their own energy with a net surplus annually sold back to energy suppliers, reducing the householder’s bill.
The properties are insulated with earth bunding on the east, west and north elevations. The passive solar gain from the south facing elevation, heat from human occupation and secondary heat from household appliances provide most of the heat required. Heat is stored in super-insulated roofs and walls constructed of high-density blocks which is subsequently emitted to keep a constant room temperature. A back-up under floor heating system is rarely required or used.
Rainfall is harvested in underground tanks and used for essentials such as toilet flushing, minimising the household consumption. Excess rainfall flows into a balancing pond to sustain plant types such as sedge, mace and flag iris, that have existed in the area for generations.
This is a living lush development that has a negative carbon dioxide generation. English ivy is abundant on the earth bunding around the properties and fruit bearing plants and trees are available to harvest around the central private road. The road has no lines, kerbstones, gullies or metal surfaces so that drivers have to reduce their speed and display increased awareness. The generous parking enables the road to be used for play and pedestrian activity. This fosters the community spirit and cohesion that is central to the success of the development and well being of all residents.
The householders have the opportunity to grow their own produce with an allotment. This site had been the location of farm land and one allotment previously and it is great to see that the site residents will have the opportunity to experience a lifestyle in tune with the local environment.
The Association is proud to have taken the initiative creating with our development partners an independent community that is at the cutting edge of sustainable building best practice in the UK.