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SCOTTISH HOUSE: A REVIEW OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUPS OF HOUSES WITH A VIEW TO SUSTAINABILITY, THE USE OF TRADITIONAL AND NEW MATERIALS, AND INNOVATIVE DESIGN
SPECIFIC ISSUES RAISED BY CASE STUDIES
3.1 Problems Encountered in Planning and Building Control -
Some responses indicate how helpful planning officials and others have been however there is evidence and concern regarding:
- Conservatism over shape, construction and orientation and even objectives.
- Control of colour finishes deemed inappropriate interference.
- Considerable and perceived unreasonable difficulties with materials including cedar shingles, timber cladding, green oak, straw, insulation materials, slate treatments including intumescent coatings, cellulose boards and others due to a wide variety of issues including 'local vernacular', fire regulations, stress grading, racking strength and location.
- Inconsistency in the above. Differences in interpretation between authorities (and individuals) causing confusion. e.g. in some cases exposed timber was accepted without problems and the use of straw bale was actively encouraged.
- Considerable difficulties with composting toilets, low flush toilets, waste treatment and recycling of grey water despite wide acceptance elsewhere.
- Unacceptability of a chain rainwater pipe in the Scottish climate.
- The use of breathing wall constructions as alternatives to vapour barriers, the technique frequently having to be demonstrated from first principles despite widespread professional acceptance and implementation of the technique across the UK some of significant pedigree including the 1993 House of the Year at Tressour Wood.
- Inappropriate use of 'deemed to satisfy' construction in Regulations as regulations themselves.
- Inappropriate scepticism regarding established good practice including designed south facing glazing.
- Problems with technical innovation including:-
- determining ventilation requirements and fire zoning when there is an internal air circulation system;
- unventilated roof construction;
- when thermal insulation eliminates the need for a heating system;
- mechanical heat recovery vents in kitchen and bathroom;
- agreeing drainage outflow where there is not centralised sewage system.
RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM CASE STUDIES
3.2 Changes to Regulations/Procedures and Guidance
There was an indication from respondents that things are moving in a positive way which will be enhanced by more good work. However some opportunities were identified which might facilitate improved practice:-
- Streamlining the process so that it is not necessary to prove information from first principles every time.
- More encouragement for planning and building houses in the countryside.
- Sustainability on planning/building control agenda. More consistency across authorities in approach to new techniques.
- More acceptance for buildings constructed using non-traditional materials and investigation of skills required in their application.
- Validated information on the life span of non-traditional materials.
- An improved understanding of the application of traditional materials and the associated skills required for their extraction, processing and use.
- Improved understanding of a range of technical details including: chemical treatments, mechanical versus natural ventilation, insulation requirements, materials and treatments.
- Improved understanding of breathing wall construction and rules for vapour barriers/membranes (including guidance on ventilation) by all building control officers. 'Deemed to satisfy' details on this would be helpful.
- More flexible regulations re. water closets and septic tank drainage requirements.
- More scope to erect low specification. affordable, sustainable houses.
- A review of planning guidance to assess the acceptability of timber housing in Scotland.
- Clarification or guidance on the treatment/handling of timber re. fire regulations.
- Clarification of the relationship between the grading of timber and its treatment or otherwise.
- Recognition of the legitimate use of local materials in contemporary design/construction.
- A review of Scottish Executive's non-intervention policy in devolving decision-making to individual authorities (and even individuals in authorities).
INTERMEDIATE CONCLUSIONS BASED ON THE CASE STUDIES
3.3 Across Rural Scotland there are some excellent examples of individual and small groups of homes which have been designed and built to address sustainable development principles. However, barriers do exist to implementation of aspects of sustainable design. In some cases these have been overcome but organisational, institutional, economic and professional barriers none the less persist.
3.4 The use of traditional materials is a common factor in many of these buildings including stone, earth and clay, minerals, vegetation and timber. New materials such as innovative insulation materials are also a feature as well as new resource conservation techniques and procurement strategies.
3.5 Whilst concern to have fitting development is necessary and justified it is evident that lack of knowledge and inconsistency in application of guidelines are serious barriers to widespread application of good and best practice. There are instances where consideration of the sustainable use of resources and environmental protection have an implication for materials choice, treatments, layout on a site or other factors with which building authorities may not be familiar. There are undeniably instances where more information is required in relation to a particular context, but in general more could be achieved, and with more ease, than is generally the case.
3.6 It was thought that improved information could lead to widespread benefits including:-
- assisting practitioners and agencies to recognise and apply appropriate techniques and materials for Scotland
- contributing to enhancing acquisition of the appropriate skills for their extraction, processing and use and
- development of benign materials, products and services.
3.7 A seminar was arranged with these findings as a starting point to investigate these issues in more depth and the following constitutes a detailed discussion of the Findings.
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