BE-ST Bits of September

Wondering what’s new in the net zero carbon built environment? We’ve summarised key highlights from the last month.

We saw our administrator, Edinburgh Napier University (ENU), deliver Europe's first Bamboo Timber Composite Gridshell, aid in the delivery of the UK's first commercially viable wood fibre insulation with BE-ST, while Robert Hairstans was named Pioneer of the Year at the Offsite Awards. The Nest House is being made into a full village to support homelessness and the sector has been publishing a variety of valuable reports pushing forward the just transition.

Read below for inspiration and respond to us your own good news stories in the comments.

1. Napier-led partnership delivered Europe's first Bamboo Timber Composite Gridshell at the University in Scotland

Following the construction of a similar structure in China by a team of ENU students last year, the international partnership spearheaded by ENU recently delivered Europe's first Bamboo Timber Composite Gridshell at the University in Scotland. Hexin(Johnson) Zhang brought students over from Hong Kong to visit BE-ST, using BE-ST's AR headsets to aide in this phase of the project.

Find out more about the project.

2. South Lanarkshire Council has granted planning permission for the Rutherglen Social Bite village, being built by Ecosystems Technologies

To be situated on a brownfield site on Harriet Street, the village will consist of 15 modern, sustainable modular homes - 'Nest houses,' built by Ecosystems Technologies - accompanied by a dynamic community hub. Tailored to meet the needs of its residents, the village provides a supportive environment, facilitating their journey out of homelessness through on-site support services and a range of skills and confidence-building activities.

Read more about the development.

3. The UK's first commercially viable wood fibre insulation manufactured

A partnership of NMITE , 英国爱丁堡大学 , ENU and BE-ST has now produced samples of the UK's first commercially viable wood fibre insulation. Funded by Forestry Commission , the project mixed softwood and hardwood fibres with other wood fibres and binding agents to create the prototype, in order to turn a low value product into a high value one.

4. Professor Robert Hairstans from Edinburgh Napier University has been named Pioneer of the Year at the 2024 Offsite Awards

Edinburgh Napier University sustainable construction expert Professor Robert Hairstans has been recognised with a prestigious industry award. Professor Hairstans was named Pioneer of the Year at the 2024 Offsite Awards.

Read more here.

5. Latest Reports from across the sector

1. The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard's pilot report launched to bring together Net-Zero Carbon requirements for all major building types.
2. ClimateXChange have published three new reports to support policymaking around reducing emissions from homes and buildings, including one co-authored by Loco Home Retrofit, Lùths Services, ENU and BE-ST.
3. The Scottish Government recently published its Green Industrial Strategy. Read Stephen Good 's full response here to the strategy which outlines how the Scottish Government will ensure Scotland realises the maximum possible economic benefit from the opportunities created by the transition to net zero.

Thanks for reading the BE-ST Bits.

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