climate change and housing

The 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference starts today in Copenhagen. The expectations are high. As housing is one of the major challenges in reducing CO2 emissions, we have looked around for some zero or low energy building concepts.

The Solar Decathlon joins 20 college and university teams in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The winning Team Germany focused on producing surplus energy by using the maximum overall building dimensions allowed, applying photovoltaics to every available surface, and pushing the envelope with new technologies.
:: www.solardecathlon.org

Ecohabs - Ecological Housing in the UK: aim to radicaly reduce CO2 emissions in housing. These dome-like buildings integrate as many energy-efficient structures as possible, including natural lighting, solar- and wind energy and even rain-water harvesting. These houses are available between 4 and 8 metres in diameter. Compact living requires organization and the best use of space reminiscent of small camping caravans.
:: www.ecohab.co.uk
:: www.decc.gov.uk - Department of Energy and climate change.

In Switzerland the Label Minergie is expanding to Minergy P (involving more passive use of solar energy in architecure), Minerge Eco (incorporating the health aspects and the energy used to produce building materials). Recently several Plus-Energy-Buildings have been constructed - buildings which produce more energy than they require.
:: www.minergie.ch

Tipp 1 for architecture fans:
Take a tour of the Photostream of the «Green & Sustainable Architecture Group» in flickr.com such as the solar energy church and museum in Italy, Museo di San Casciano (photo Sam Energia, flickr.com)

Tipp 2: Take a look at the EnergyFlexHouse which is launched today in Denmark at the beginning of the Climate Change Conference COP15.
:: EnergyFlexHouse