01-05-2008

UK Government requires mandatory Code for Sustainable Homes (CFSH) rating for all new grant funded housing.

11-04-2008

The 12th Passivhaus conference is to take place in Nuernberg.  The conference facilitates the exchange of ideas, knowledge and progress in the field of energy efficient construction and sustainability, highlighting how energy efficiency is the key to thermal comfort and very low energy costs.  The conference provides a showcase for innovative products and ideas.  These products will enable designers to make it possible to substitute the greater part of energy demand, in both new and refurbished dwellings, with new methods of insulation, glazing and heat recovery.

06-04-2008

Mandatory EPC - UK legislation is introduced which requires all new dwellings to have an EPC certificate with SAP calculations.

03-04-2008

The UK Government has today revealed the 15 sites in England shortlisted to become environmentally-friendly towns.  The list comprises:  Bordon, Coltishall, Curborough, Elsenham, Ford, Hanley Grange, Imerys, Manby, Marston Vale, New Marston, Middle Quinton, Pennbury, Rossington, Rushcliffe and Weston Otmoor.  The Government intends to reduce the list to 10 towns over the next 6 months.

18-03-2008

Mumbai – Indian Real Estate Developer, Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure, today announces it is to build the country’s first green building, in Worli - Mumbai,  at a height of over 320 metres.  The Palais Royale, will become India’s tallest green building and will be built using the guidance and expertise of the Indian Green Building Council.  The IGBC states that 181 ‘green projects’ have been registered as of February 2008, and it is anticipated that the number will rise to 1,000 within the next two years.

11-03-2008

In his first Budget speech, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, announces the Government’s aim that all new non-domestic buildings will be carbon zero by 2019.  This is further to the Government’s announcement last year, that all new dwellings will be carbon zero by 2016.

06-02-08

Grosvenor House Hotel, London - Senior Partner  JG attends CIBSE annual dinner as a guest of Mitsubishi UK.

31-01-2008

The European Parliament called for an introduction of the Passive House Energy Standard, the leading standard for energy efficient design and construction.  The EP is demanding the introduction of this efficiency level to all new buildings, throughout Europe, as early as 2011.

09-01-2008

The newly formed government department of Communities & Local Government (which supercedes the ODPM), publishes its first Sustainable Development Action Plan.  Within the plan, lead by Hazel Blears MP – Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, it identifies 4 shared priorities of sustainable development.  The priorities listed are : Sustainable Communities, Climate Change & Energy, Natural Resources & Environment and Sustainable Consumption & Production.

23-07-2007

The UK Government department of Communities & Local Government publishes an Eco-Town Prospectus.  The department promotes Eco-Towns as an opportunity to achieve high standards of sustainable living while also maximising the potential for affordable housing. This Prospectus sets out the Government's vision for eco-towns, including the support to take them forward.

18-07-2007

JG flies in to Changi airport, Singapore.  It is a good opportunity to catch up with our clients, LC Developments over a seafront supper.  Meetings also take place with Interior Designers, KKS and Project Managers, Northcroft.

12-07-2007

JG visits India on the first leg of his overseas tour to visit new and existing local partners.  After spending 5 days in Pune meeting clients and local architects John makes the short journey to the regeneration city of Mumbai for meetings with developers and local strategists.  John has close links within this area, with much local knowledge, from old friends, former colleagues and business associates.

23-05-2007

UK Communities and Local Government publish technical guidance for the Code for Sustainable Homes standard to help the building industry deliver improvements to the energy efficiency of new homes. The manual sets the requirements for the code, and the process by which a code assessment is reached. According to the government, the code will give homeowners better information about costs associated with running their homes. The government has set a goal that all new homes will be zero carbon by 2016 and intends to use the code to measure progress.

17-04-2007

Senior Partners, John and Sara Grazebrook make a private visit to the Solarsiedlung development in the suburb of Schlierberg in Freiburg, Germany.  The development which is the brainchild of innovative German architect, Rolf Disch, has won many national awards for innovation. Heat is provided by a local network of solar energy which is generated by hot water vacuum collectors, and a central timber power station which supplies heat and electricity.   Energy is generated in an exclusively regenerative way.  Solar energy plants on the roof of the houses turn solar radiation into electricity. The electricity produced is fed into the public net and will signify a profit of at least 0,42 €/KWh in 20 years.