1

Once upon a

time in an eco-

home far, far away

Once upon a time....

....there were many

badly designed

housing estates in the

UK.

Every day...

....people lived in cold,

inefficient homes and

used way too much

money on staying

warm.

So... some architects decided

to build eco-estates with all the

bells and whistles needed to be

eco-friendly and keep warm

without breaking the bank

Then, one day...

....researchers at

Sheffield Hallam

Uni decided to see

how people living

in these estates

coped with their

high-tech houses

and made films

starring the

residents.

But then... the researchers found that

people living in eco-homes had different

understandings of its features and

technologies to those designing them.

They often didn’t care or know they were

eco homes but liked the look of them. They

also complained that no one had explained

to them all the eco features and how to use

them properly.

Until, finally... The films were all put

online to bring together everyone

involved in building, selling and living in

eco housing.

And, ever since then...architects,

builders and policy makers that have

watched the films have gotten a bit

wiser about what is important to the

users of their products.

7

The less short

version..........

Key facts.......

• one year UK ESRC funded project (2011-

2012)

• four case study low energy housing

developments in England

• uses film making and social media to give

residents a VOICE

• residents filmed talking about their homes, in

their homes

• 3 films featuring total of 14 households

4 reasons to research eco-homes now

research eco-homes now? 1. If eco-schemes are to have desired outcomes,

architects, developers and housing providers should think from the users' point of view Lynch (1989, 67-106) and Marshall (2008)

2. Zero carbon footprints by 2050* mean that radical changes in the way our homes look and function are unavoidable.

3. Escalating energy costs also mean we must ensure that the energy saving potential of properties are maximised

4. The complexity of domestic energy systems will increase

*UK national carbon delivery plan (DECC 2011, 30)

3 aims....

1. to understand and show how ‘ordinary’

people use and respond to innovative

eco-homes

2. to give occupants a voice in the debate

around low energy homes

3. to enable architects and developers to

think from the users' point of view

Green Street

• a market driven development in

Nottingham

• built: 2011/12

• EPC rating: A

• mechanical heat exchange

• triple glazing

• PV and solar thermal panels

Henley Way

• social housing and shared

ownership

• built: 2007

• EPC rating: A

• PV and solar thermal panels

• 'upside down' layout

New Islington/Lilac Court

• social housing and shared

ownership

• built 2011/12

• CSH level 3

• air source heat pumps

• social housing built 2011/12

• CSH level 3

• STHW panels

The interview

• Respondents were first asked to describe:

- their housing histories

- their motivations for moving to current home

- their feelings towards their current home

- their attitudes and practices in relation to sustainability.

The tour • The respondents were then asked to provide a guided tour of the

home explaining its design and low energy features and how they

understood these.

Afterwards • Videos were then collated and edited into a 15-20 mins

summary video of for each of the different schemes.

• The summary video was later presented to the participants in a

local film ‘première’ to enable comment and feedback.

• Designers, developers and landlords were then shown the

films and asked to comment.

4 things we learntabout living in low

energy housing? 1. Many residents struggled with the complexity of

the unconventional technology, did not find it

intuitive and were unsure how to get the best out of

it

2. Some were experiencing adverse effects: e.g.

higher bills and hot/cold homes

3. Little support / guidance available aside from

manuals and some erroneous information passed

on.

4. Some social housing tenants felt they had not

'opted in' to low carbon living

What we learnt about eco as home...

• Appearance, location and the community and

performance as 'home' are as important as eco-features

(a bonus)

• Previous studies have used practice theory to

interpret occupants responses. Works well BUT....

• ...does not take account of identity: the home is a

means of both forming and projecting social identity.

• Neither identity nor practice are independent.

• As a result, both identity theory AND practice theory

is relevant, when analysing the results and designing

houses.

4 lessons for policy types...

1. If the home is not used correctly, low energy

designs will not realise their potential

2. Social landlords must take account of tenants'

preferences when trying to meet obligations to reduce

carbon emissions and protect tenants from FP

3. More training of 'frontline staff' required to support

occupants to access benefits of a low energy home

4. Homes have to be socially acceptable as well as

functional

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