Eco-Specialisms
As part of my philosophy for sustainability I have endeavoured to promote the following specialisms to my clients and to the general public at large. Some have undertaken all of them while others have included just one or two depending upon their circumstances. At long last there is a much greater awareness and understanding about the need for these to be considered an essential part of our lifestyle and not as a “maybe” as it was many years ago. There is also much more choice within the various systems and the costs have become much more reasonable.
Bio-Engineering
This term is used for engineering elements in the landscape such as retaining walls, paved surfaces, building roofs, ground stabilisation, etc that use plants in their construction. This not only improves their visual appearance by making them less harsh and overpowering but allows for better ground drainage and overall functioning.
Many bio-engineering methods are also used for the stabilisation of sloping ground which has been disturbed by developments.
Eco-Building
My designs for small buildings such as changing rooms, workshops, studios, etc can all made from natural materials such as timber, stone, recycled bricks, tiles and second hand items such as doors and windows. Some can even have green roofs. They can all be aesthetically pleasing and are designed to suit your location and your requirements.
Renewable Energy Systems
There are four major ways in which energy can be obtained for free- solar, wind, water and biomass (vegetation). For the individual owner it depends on the location and size of the property as well as the capital outlay and pay back period.
Solar
Solar can offer water heating through the use of glass panels fixed on the roof of a building with a south facing slope. Solar heating by photovoltaic cells converts the energy in light into electrical energy and the power generated is direct current at low voltage.
Water
If you have a stream why not take advantage and use it for the supply of electricity for your home or outbuildings. Water wheels were once widely used across the country and streams can be harnessed as a reliable and consistent means of generating electricity using micro-hydro generators.
Wind
Wind has been used to generate power for centuries in this country as can be seen by very old wind mills that are still in existence. Modern wind turbines for domestic use are very slim, not very high – around 30 metres- and do not cause any adverse impact on the rural landscape if sited correctly.
Biomass
Wood is an ideal fuel for heating and cooking and can be used in various forms from logs to pellets. Modern stoves make it possible for far more efficient use of timber and in the case of pellets a hopper can be installed that does not require to be emptied for three days. The pellets are manufactured from waste wood products and no chemicals are used in the process.
Edible Gardening
Having been associated with growing organically all my life I have always taken a keen interest in its promotion through my lectures and publications as well as convinving many clients to do so. In fact I have tried to go further and include Bio-Dynamics and Permaculture too. I have designed many kitchen gardens both for my clients as well as myself and can offer an excellent Edible Garden Design Service where the area can be a combination of the aesthetic and the practical. They are sometimes referred to as Potager Gardens.
Nature Conservation
There is no doubt that our wildlife is under severe threat from man made developments and many are now endangered species. While we cannot control what happens in the wider landscape we can make sure that provision is made in our gardens for various habitats such as ponds, wild flower meadows, hedgebanks, copses, spinneys, woods, etc that will provide a safe sanctuary for all creatures great and small.
Water Harvesting
The main aim is to collect as much water from the roofs of buildings and store it in suitable containers/tanks generally underground, for re-use such as flushing toilets, cleaning purposes, irrigation of the garden, etc. It is also ideal for washing clothes as the water is soft and eliminates the need for conditioners.
Waste Water Treatment
If you have a large garden and want to save water and the environment, then the use of reed beds for the cleaning of your waste water is well worth considering. Reed beds are simply ponds into which liquid effluent- the solids having been removed- is channelled and which is then converted by the plants, the microbes and the chemical properties of the soil or gravel into clear and clean water.
