zero carbon house

The design, by architect John Christophers, enlarges the existing c.1840 2-bed terrace, doubling space on the ground floor and adding a top floor studio with solar roof.
Natural daylight floods through the house from roof-lights and windows with mirrored reveals. These intensify the daylight and bounce sunlight deep into the rooms.
Operation of the house over 15 years has been better than “zero carbon” with 100% on-site renewable energy, so that no gas or fossil fuels are needed. The design includes triple-glazed windows, very good insulation, airtightness and heat-recovery ventilation, which have reduced heating needs by an impressive 95%.
Many natural and reclaimed building materials include unfired clay blockwork walls, cellulose insulation, lime plaster, reclaimed Canadian honeydew maple joinery, and 75mm waxed clay floors. These materials mean the retrofit construction itself is also ultra-low carbon - known as "embodied carbon".
Hear about the community-led neighbourhood-based work of Retrofit Balsall Heath, with great progress insulating 650 local homes.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 08 September:

1300-1800

Location & directions

103 Tindal Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, West Midlands, B12 9QU

Directions:

2 miles or 12 minutes cycle ride from Birmingham city centre, near the Rea Valley cycle route. No.50 bus from outside Selfridges in Birmingham. Parking on the street.

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

Pre-booking preferred if possible please, through the website

Booking website:

https://zerocarbonhousebirmingham.org.uk/about/contact/

Accessibility details

Ground floor and garden fully wheelchair accessible. Note we have a cat.

Additional information

Admission is free; donations are invited from waged adults to Save Smallbrook crowdfunder.

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