March 1, 2010
The University of Ulster has challenged its architecture students to design a self-sustainable house made from sustainable raw materials that includes microgeneration technology.
In conjunction with Invest NI and Biotecture Ireland Ltdd, the Biotecture Network has been established to give Ulsters Masters of Architecture students the chance to take on the challenge of producing the green home of the future.
Homes will have to have renewable energy microgeneration installed, including solar and wind technologies, use local, natural and recycled building materials and use water harvesting to collect rainwater to re-use in the home and garden.
Professor Neil Hewitt, director of the centre for sustainable technologies at Ulster, said: "The chance for our students to develop these types of homes shows the innovation in the University of Ulster in sustainable expertise.
"There is a greater focus now on carbon reduction strategies and energy efficiency and this competition will hopefully highlight these issues, as well as providing working blue-prints for self-sustaining properties of the future."
Meanwhile, energy firm E.ON recently announced that it would be rolling out LED streetlights in a bid to diminish its impact on the environment and to become more energy efficient.
Rapid Electronics is a leading UK supplier of educational products, electrical products and teaching resources to the primary, secondary and higher education sector
|