BE-ST Bits of February

The drive towards a net zero carbon built environment continues, with new research, technologies, and projects shaping the industry. This month, we’re highlighting key low carbon materials and systems, the retrofit of our building, and case studies of best practice.

1. Homegrown Wood Fibre Insulation project finalising outputs

The Forestry Commission funded homegrown wood fibre insulation project is currently working on their final outputs before the closing of the project at the end of March.

Researchers from The University of Edinburgh were at BE-ST carrying out the final testing of the samples of the UK’s first commercially viable homegrown wood fibre insulation, making use of BE-ST’s heat flow meter and a purpose made heated test box. Results will be made available at the end of the project.

2. Scotland's National Retrofit Centre: First Exclusive Tours Available

There's still time to join us on a behind-the-scenes tour of Scotland's National Retrofit Centre on 4th of March.

This month has also seen the retrofit team move onto work on the envelope, which you can read more about in our article on external systems. To help complete the offsite fabrication to the highest standard, the teams all came together for a toolbox talk in the factory on Enerphit and Thermal Bypass considerations when installing insulation materials.

3. Case studies: Accelerate to Zero Hero & ECOHOUSE

Learn more about the Accelerate to Zero Hero Award Winner, Ecosystems Technologies, the UK’s first manufacturer of homegrown mass timber buildings, and the Skills Impact Award Winner, West Lothian College’s ECOHOUSE training facility, in our case studies here.

4. Recycled BE-ST timber used to build community space in Leith

We donated off-cut timber to the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA), to be used as furniture in the community of Cables Wynd House, Leith. Built by students tutored by Kieran Hawkins and Darren Park, the project engaged closely with the residents of the building to decide what to build. Photo credit: Fredrik Frendin.

5. Passivhaus Trust estimates more than 8,000 homes targeting Passivhaus currently in the pipeline

Projects being built to the Passivhaus standard now account for approximately 1% of all new homes under construction, according to figures released by the Passivhaus Trust, with 10% target by 2035. Read more here.

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It has been one year since we launched the BE-ST Bits. Thank you for joining us to accelerate the built environment’s just transition to net zero carbon emissions.