James is chairing a seminar on green building at this year’s Ecobuild, and Adam is speaking. It’s the largest sustainable building event in the world, over 2 days at Excel in London.
Get down there – and if you’re around for the seminar, say hello!
We’ll be at the Sustainable Self Build and Renovation stream, South Gallery 21&22, Wednesday 21 March. The seminar is ‘Going for Growth’ at 4.30.
Adam’s presentation is on building biodiversity into new build project design.
Snapped on Gower Street, London, recently. Doubt it will survive long – but whilst it’s there it may open people’s minds to new possibilities? 
Don’t forget it’s the Brighton green roof workshop this weekend.
Find out more from course organisers Brighton Permaculture Trust
Formal consultation is open on the hospital development, closing 8 November.
This is a vital time in the planning process and has a genuine influence on the outcome of the decision.
In the scheme of things, the roof gardens and terraces are a minor consideration when lives are at stake from the lack of a decent trauma unit – but views of natural green space are known to speed recovery, so there should be a benefit to patients in future.
See the Council’s website for further information and details of how to comment on the redevelopment plans:
http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1199915
The reference numbers for the applications are follows:
* Main Application – BH2011/02886
* Listed Building Application (Bristol Gates) – BH2011/02887
* Listed Building Application (Chapel) – BH2011/02888
Brighton Permaculture Trust announce a two-day course run in partnership with Brighton & Hove Building Green and Green Roof Training and in association with RESET.
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 October 2011
Building Green ran the first ever UK DIY green roof course with the Permaculture Trust. It was a real success, and has spawned courses across the country.
This runs around the top floor balcony of the Bristol HQ, which was
awarded the highest ever BREEAM (Building Research Establishment
Environmental Assessment Method) score for an office in the UK, scoring
over 85%.
Here’s a cool little project – Bus Roots.
From their website:
WHAT IS BUS ROOTS?
Reconnecting urban communities with nature in a practical and playful way. Bus roots is a public and playful project that uses plants as a creative medium.It connects the citizens with their community while trying to use the least amount of resources and improving the quality of the environment around it.
PURPOSE
Reclaim forgotten space, increase quality of life and grow the amount of green spaces in the city.
Great idea or impractical dream? Let us know in the comments.
Green Roof Shelters Ltd have just launched a great new product, reusing shipping containers and adding green credentials by the bucket-load.
Also check out the green roof container village in Brighton & Hove, England.
They say:
We have mixed the iconic industrial design and portability of a used shipping container and encased it with all we have learned about green roofs and habitat walls.
We can adapt these boxes into anything from secure storage, bike shelters, outdoor classrooms, green stages and soon to come home office/garden room. All delivered to site complete with planted green roof.
“The benefits of green roofs are well documented and established, but uncertainty remains as to whether they can provide attenuation and storage for storm water.
“Micro Drainage worked with the University of Sheffield to establish a model to accurately factor the runoff from a green roof.
“The outcome now enables a green roof to be modelled as part of a Sustainable Drainage System (SUDS).”
To read the full paper visit http://www.microdrainage.co.uk/mddownloadpapers.asp
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have released a product selector guide for Green Roofs.
Covering a wide range of green roof types, products and materials, the green roof product selector is an important and valuable guide.
You can find it here: http://www.ribaproductselector.com/products/green-roofs/Q37.aspx
Brighton & Hove Building Green 