ecology and community – zero carbon house

Close up of red brick homes for birds integrated onto the front of zero carbon house, Birmingham — Bird boxes integrated into the red bricks on the front of zero carbon house

We have included the wider community and site ecology within the design considerations of our zero carbon house.

Homes for creatures

Preserving wildlife and improving biodiversity are ecological concerns that can be addressed through architecture. Six bird-boxes and two bat-boxes are built into the house and garden walls. Although tailored for black redstarts and swifts, bluetits were the first to move in. We also have hedgehogs and lacewings in the garden. We have plans to build a pond to improve species diversity.

Building community

Our local planning officer said that the application to build our house was the only one she had ever received that had attracted only letters of support.

We hold open days every year so local people and any who are interested can come and see our home. We even held open days while the house was being built, each attracting up to 600 people.

Knowledge of zero carbon house has been shared through lectures, this website, Twitter and media coverage.