Winner of the RIBA Housing Award for “best example of sustainable construction”, the site has been designed to address environmental, social and economic needs, making an eco-friendly lifestyle easy, affordable and attractive.
The Bedzed project has been developed by The Peabody Trust – one of London’s largest housing associations, Bioregional Development Group – an environmental organisation and Bill Dunster Architects. Based on the site of a former sewage works, the development comprises 82 one to four bedroom flats and houses, private gardens, 1600 square metres of work space, an on site shop, café, healthy living centre, sports and childcare facilities. The entire project derives from a Zero energy concept, meaning it will use no more energy than it produces. By only using energy from renewable sources generated on site and avoiding fossil fuels the site can further boast the first “carbon neutral” community, as it does not extinguish any carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (which causes global warning). As such, while being entirely energy efficient, the development offers minimum environmental damage.
One of the most effective elements of the development and that which allows it to be so energy efficient is its water strategy - making it easy for residents to conserve water by making the most of rainwater. Bedzed’s water system will cut mains consumption by a third by making use of recycled water. It is predicted that nearly a fifth (18%) of daily water consumption will be met from the recycled rainwater to large storage tanks built into the foundations. Plain or ‘mill’ finish Alutec ‘Vortex’ downpipes were specified on the project. The Vortex pipe system is produced using the latest technology to manufacture a consistent internal diameter pipe with an integrally formed socket. The Vortex system therefore has a higher capacity than traditional downpipe systems – an increase of up to 20%. Rainwater from the roof areas is discharged into the Vortex pipe which also include faceted curved downpipes to follow the shape of the special ‘Round back’ design to the end of some of the blocks, via specially made hopper heads. Alutec ‘Boxer’ and a bespoke large box section gutter was also specified by the architect. Ken Fourey-Jones in the technical department at Alutec worked with the Architect to design these bespoke items ensuring that the product was right and would give the required performance.
The plumbing products specified for the project were also of major importance with regard to the Bedzed water strategy. In order to cut mains water consumption Bedzed relies on dual flush toilets and lower-volume baths and tap fittings with water saving flow restrictions. Also Bedzed’s wastewater is treated on site by a sewage treatment plant in order to allow it to be recycled back to the underground tanks to supplement water for flushing toilets. Equator hot & cold push fit plumbing system proved the ideal choice. Among the features offered by Equator which rival those of traditional copper systems are long life (Equator is backed by a 30 year guarantee), low maintenance, ease of installation and cost effectiveness. Boasting the only straight-coiled PE-X pipe in Europe and with unique push-fit components, this product ensures a professional, quick and clean installation every time without the need for solder, flux or blow-torches. When installed the product is tamper proof yet is easily demountable by the plumber, using a uniquely developed tool. Equator has excellent chemical and temperature resistance and has BBA approval with Agrément certificates for all four sizes: 10mm, 15mm, 22mm and 28mm pipe diameters.