Sustainable Architecture Group
The Sustainable Architecture Group investigates sustainability and technological development in architecture, including design, construction and post-occupancy monitoring of low-carbon buildings, thermal performance of tensile membrane enclosures, innovative structural forms and systems and technical aspects of architectural conservation.
Researchers include:
Professor J. Chilton who is actively engaged in research into sustainable and low-carbon construction, tension membrane structures, spatial structures and timber structures and has published widely in these areas. He is Vice-Chair of TensiNet, Executive Council member of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) and sits on the Fabric Advisory Council of Lincoln Cathedral.
Professor B. Vale an international authority on autonomous housing, life-cycle resource costing of housing, environmental impact of sustainable design components and development of building environmental rating systems. She has received international recognition for her work on earth-sheltered housing (Hockerton Housing Project).
Dr B. Colston whose research includes the analysis of historic building materials, in particular lime mortars and plasters, to enable correct replacements to be used during conservation and the study of internal air quality in buildings.
Dr B. Sodagar who has expertise in the fields of sustainable planning and development, sustainable architecture, environmental performance of passive solar buildings and environmental assessment of buildings. He has undertaken research and consultancy for a range of national and international organisations.
Mr A. Graef who works in the fields of freeform surfaces and use of rapid prototyping for surface material optimisation.
Mr P. Hyde who is advising on the construction management issues involved in establishing an environmental social enterprise construction company.
Research Fellows I. Crick and M. Smith (Crick Smith) are researchers in architectural paint research (APR), decorative paint finishes, schemes, structures, wallcoverings and fabrics. Their work extends into allied fields of investigation and conservation relevant to the understanding, preservation and interpretation of historic buildings and has been critical to the work carried out in the understanding and preservation for more than 400 properties. For further details on the work of Crick Smith, please click here.
Research Assistant:
(Currently Vacant)
Current Research and Research Related
Projects:
Environmental performance of tensile membrane structures
(2004-)
Ongoing research in collaboration with
Laboratorium Blum,
Stuttgart and Architen
Landrell Associates Ltd in the UK investigating the use
of multi-foil insulation and other low-emissivity materials to
enhance the thermal performance of single and multi-layer
tensile membrane construction.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP 6565) Lincolnshire Community Foundation, Sleaford (2007-9)
To optimise the use of Church plant (700 plus buildings:
churches, halls and church schools) throughout Greater
Lincolnshire, a mix of rural and urban settings.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP 6662) Simons Design, Lincoln (2007-9)
To develop a methodology for the assessment of the “carbon footprint” of buildings designed and constructed by the Simons Group and to implement this in the processes and systems of the company.
Past Research and Research Related
Projects:
Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP 0717) – Hill Holt Wood
(2005-7)
The main aim of this KTP research-related project, funded by
the DTI, was to develop designs for a range of autonomous
eco-buildings, thereby assisting the company partner to
establish an environmental social enterprise construction
company. The main outcome of this research was the design, in
conjunction with Simons Design, for an off-grid Woodland
Community Hall as an exemplar for innovative design solutions
and techniques applicable to sustainable low-carbon, low energy
construction.
Outline Planning Approval was obtained for six low-carbon dwellings and full approval for a low-carbon Woodland Community Building in native woodland. With the support of the KTP, Hill Holt Wood has gained external funding of £258k from Lincolnshire Enterprise, and Waste Recycling Environmental Network (WREN), for its construction which has recently commenced.
The small conference space is to be constructed from
externally-insulated rammed earth with a reciprocal frame roof
structure. Post occupancy environmental monitoring will
determine the performance of this form of construction for
intermittently used spaces.
TensiNet - EU Thematic Network for Upgrading the Built
Environment in Europe through Tensile Structures – (March 2001 –
September 2004)
(Contract: G1RT-CT-2000-05010)
Activities of TensiNet were funded by the European Commission, under the Competitive and Sustainable Growth (Growth) Programme of Framework Programme 5.
TensiNet was a network of 22 partners (architects, designers, engineers, material suppliers, contractors and producers, universities and research institutes) from nine European countries. This subsequently expanded to include a number of associate partners.
TensiNet’s main research activity took place within three
Working Groups (WGs:
WGMAT - Materials, measurement and testing
WGENG - Engineering, Construction
WGARCH - Architecture, Urban Planning
Outcomes:
- The European Design Guide for Tensile Surface Structures, 2004,
available from TensiNet.
- Identification of deficiencies in current knowledge requiring further scientific research and issues that restrict the wider use of lightweight tensile structures.
- Establishment of future research priorities “...including
the:
• development, at European level, of measurement and testing tools for textiles
• need for an investigation of the long term performance of materials used in tensile surface structures
• improvement of material durability
• improvement of the tensile strength
• accurate determination of thermal, optical and acoustic properties of the materials (i.e. acoustics, thermal insulation, translucency, transmission of condensed water, ventilation, fire safety)
• detailed monitoring and improved predictive modelling of the environment within spaces enclosed by tensile surface structures
• determination of accurate wind loads on tensile surface structures.
The perceived need for research to be focussed upon environmental performance aspects (as opposed to form finding) is anticipated to further stimulate the development and production of new coatings and materials.” (from European Design Guide for Tensile Surface Structures, eds. Forster B. and Mollaert M., 2004)
The design guide was the result of collaboration between academic researchers and industrial partners. It presented the “state-of-the-art” knowledge including research carried out by partners during the duration of the project.
Last Updated:
14/09/2011