We started the Design process nine months ago and we are into month four of the reconstruction works. Our client allowed us to suggest "Green" concepts into the Design phase, whilst allowing us to provide a design that is expandable as future technology comes on line. On top of that we had the challenge to reduce project costs but also direct the client to some innovative decorative solutions to bring the house back to the original Architectural look of the 1920's.

The "Green" systems such as Solar assisted heating, Passive ventilated cooling using Earth Pipes and Energy Efficiency control systems, meant we also had to introduce a none propriety, flexible, IT Network Solution into the house. The wired network was based on the Abitana IP Solution, integrating sensors, controllers, relay switches into this infrastructure. With a Home Server acting as the heart of the system, the clients family will be able to use Multimedia libraries (personal and Internet based), control and monitor Security and Building systems (Lighting & HVAC) easily, using wireless connected Tablet computers that will be scattered about the house.

Add all this to esthetic features such as indirect lighting and period decorative features (example... see the ORAC range), the result will be a house that can be visualised as 'model' for future renovation projects.

We will provide more detail in the coming months.

An Eco-Innovation Summit was held on the eve of the spring European Council, 23rd March, where EU government leaders discussed the key goals for the Europe 2020 Strategy, the Lisbon Council reconvened its Eco-Innovators Network under the timely theme of Europe 2020: Resource Efficiency as a Driver of Sustainable Growth and Jobs. Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, kicked-off the debates by sharing his vision of high environmental standards and resource efficiency as key drivers for Europe’s new sustainable growth and jobs agenda. Later in the day, Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, laid out a concise blueprint for a low-carbon future, explaining the important role that eco-innovation will play in replacing old and polluting technologies.

Our Managing Director, Neil Turley, as member of the Eco-Innovator Network took the opportunity to present our Policy Paper "How to make Eco-Innovation to a Commercial reality, rather than it just being identified as R&D" to Janez Potočnik and members of his cabinet, on viable commercial support for SMEs promoting Eco Innovation.

We have recently learned that the Papers content is presently being evaluated to become part of the EU policy in support of Eco Innovation throughout Europe. Our source indicated that the EU Strategy documentation should be completed in the late summer. We wait in baited breath. …

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Uses the combination of solar thermal energy of 12 m² of Heat Pipe/Vacuum tubes, with the backup of an air/water heat pump, to provide house space heating (during Winter, Spring and Autumn seasons), hot water (100%, all year) and swimming pool heating (during Summer season). …

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