The Elm Street Lane housing is the development of two one bedroom flats in the city centre of Cardiff. This development aims to address issues of housing affordability and resource efficiency, including material resources, energy and water. The development is currently being detailed and construction will begin later in 2004.

The development is designed to be as affordable as possible by reducing building costs and running costs. Building costs are reduced by designing a compact building that makes efficient use of space and using easily buildable technologies. Running costs are reduced by providing a zero heating building, making use of solar thermal panels to provide hot water and recycling rainwater to reduce the need for mains water.

The building also aims to reduce the need for building resources, in particular primary virgin resources, and reduce the production of waste throughout the building process and the potential for waste at the end of the building's life. To achieve this aim the building is being designed to include the maximum amount of recycled and reclaimed materials. It is also designed to be dismantleable and will only include materials that can be reused and recycled or composted.

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES

Site and Ecology
The building site is a brownfield site which had previously been used as a workshop. New planting will be introduced to the rear of the site. Native plants and planting to attract birds and insects will be selected for the site.

Community and Culture
The design provides affordable housing through by aiming to reduce capital cost and by reducing running costs for the building.

Health
The materials for the development have been selected for their reduced impact on the users as much as on the environment. Only non-toxic materials and preferably natural materials were specified.

The development also puts emphasis on providing well lit living spaces to maximise the availability of natural light known to enhance the well-being of humans..

Materials
All materials should be natural, recycled or reclaimed and should qualify as closed loop materials. Materials know to offgas or to have will not be used.

Energy
High levels of insulation result in a zero heating development. Thermal solar hot water panels will provide hot water for washing.

A solar preheated positive pressure ventilation system is being evaluated for providing required fresh air to the house, while minimising heat loss.

Water
Rainwater will be recycled to flush toilets and water the garden.