Page 27 - link magazine

Swindon wide 27

Intelligent and green: eco-homes show the future for housing
Seven environmentally friendly houses to be completed during the Spring in Abbey Meads will mark the end of the first phase of Swindon's expansion
to the north, eight years after the first homes were occupied.
Called 1 nteger running their homes.
Housing, the design "Because of the ad-
by the Westlea ditional features, the
Housing Association cost of building
architects incorpo- i nteger homes is
rates a wide range about ten per cent
of energy saving fea- greater than other
tures, whilst remain- houses. But tenants
ing cost efficient to will see at least a
build. fifty per cent reduc-
The innovative de- ti on in electricity and
sign includes: gas bills."
• timber frames He added that the
constructed from energy saving sys-
trees grown under tems are designed
Forest Stewardship to run with little in-
Council guidelines; tervention by users,
• high levels of and that the 1 nteger
Warm cell insulation concept is the model
An artist's impression of the Integer homes being built at Mason Road, Abbey Meads
made from recycled for future housing.
newspapers within the timber • use of mineral based environ- utilise borrowed heat from the sun; The seven dwellings are being
frame; mentally friendly paints; • intelligent cabling and controls built by Swindon company Red-
• using stored rainwater for flush- • marmoleum floor covering for for multi-computer, TV, telephone stone Construction and will be man-
ing WCs; kitchens and bathrooms, as rec- and electrical consumer use; aged by the Jephson Housing As-
• solar panels on the roof for hot ommended by the Asthma Society • low energy light fittings and use sociation.
water heating; as this inhibits the dust mite; of PIRs which automatically turn
• reduced use of plastic, gutters • laminated spruce timber floors li ghts on and off in stairwells:
are made from galvanised steel; for warmth underfoot; • provision made within the struc- IID0 RADIO SWINDON
• external walls partly clad with • passive ventilation system pro- ture for future internal lift for disa-
103.6 FM
home grown cedar boarding re- viding natural clean air without the bled person access to the first floor
Listen out for this month's headlines from
quiring no redecoration; use of electric fans; if and when required.
The Link on BBC Radio Swindon's Drive
• low maintenance zinc roofing; • provision for recycling house- Steve Parker from Westlea
programme (Monday to Friday 4pm to
• high quality argon filled double hold waste; Housing Association said tenants
7pm). at about 4.45pm on Wednesdays.
glazed windows: • incorporation of a solar space to will see major savings in the cost of
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