or more specifically sustainable and green construction methods and products?

Been asked to help scope some 'quick wins' for a small commercial retail and office building as part of a uni project. Not exactly an area I'm familiar with so could do with some advice please!

Timber frame construction mate

Brickie here mate , maybe able to help , not sure about the green aspect mind!!!

Unfortunately it's going to be a steel frame, don't have any say on the superstructure or substructure really. Looking at rainwater harvesting, solar panels, recycled aggregates, intelligent HVAC, that sort of thing. I did suggest a roof garden but was promptly told it would look shit. They're probably right.

[quote="Mersons Bookie"]Unfortunately it's going to be a steel frame, don't have any say on the superstructure or substructure really. Looking at rainwater harvesting, solar panels, recycled aggregates, intelligent HVAC, that sort of thing. I did suggest a roof garden but was promptly told it would look shit. They're probably right.[/quote]
Funny as it seems worked on a project about 20yrs ago that had a genetically modified type of grass on the roof .. See if I can find it for you!!

Cheers, but I wouldn't worry mate, that idea got shut down pretty quick. They're a complete ball-ache to build and maintain and yes, would no doubt look crap.

I'm looking at insulation and glazing at the moment. Some of the stuff on the market is NASA standard! Bloody expensive mind.

I'm a carpenter but I'm also a yank and we don't believe in reusing anything.

Focus on "bringing the outdoors indoors" aka use glass to bring in lights and show greenery. Had to cover it once in "Introduction to Design". Very pointless and boring!

If this is a full fledged spec (as an assignment of course) make sure to include the cost of pre building environmental and cultural resource (archaeology and heritage architecture) assessment

The site in Sheffield is near Arundel gate where there's been loads of archeological findings, a construction firms worst nightmare. So all surveys etc. will be costed.

There's going to be a lot of glazing and briselle (sp), it's just which type and what form it's going to take. All manufacturers claim there's is the best!

I build roads, not offices. And I'm yawning just typing about it so I won't bore anyone else with this. One definite feature, a bike rack!

[quote="WEAVER"]Timber frame construction mate[/quote]

Now this is green and uses renewable sources for materials [ wood ] and is becoming very popular with builders as its cheap and quick to put up.

I however wouldn't touch one as they are a massive fire risk. They build blocks of flats now using this method and if 1 flat has a fire it spreads up the cavities and destroys the lot.

Brise Soleil -we're using a crowd called PAR http://www.parlouvres.co.uk/solar_shading.html , think they're all much of a muchness though.
Also using seawater harvesting for first time - we're right by Pompey docks and it basically cleans the dock water up in a containerised plantroom which they then use for flushing the khazis and also in the comfort cooling system

Always use recycled aggergate, crushed concrete sourced locally etc. Plane up tarmac and use under footpaths, plane up concrete or crush on site if enough volume

Sustainable products for doors, joinery etc etc from sustainable sources

Will try and add a few more as I think of them

Cheers Mr Votedocker
Might borrow a couple of photos from that Parlouvres site.
I'm looking to harvest rainwater from the roof for flushing the bogs, need to investigate how viable it is (tipping it down most days so should be ok!)

I like the growing popularity of timber frames, not sure I'd want to live in one though

Rainwater harvesting works fine up in Scotland.

Buzzwords just now are Photovoltaic systems (preheats hot water), Biomass boilers & Ground Source Heat Pumps.

Don't forget your BMS to optimise the performance of your building controls.

Good couple of websites to check out are -

http://www.bsee.co.uk/

http://www.modbs.co.uk/