 This month's Housing Focus front cover features the Beddington Zero Energy Development – more popularly known as BedZED – which showcases windows and doors from Rationel. Located in Wallington, Surrey, BedZED is a mixed-use, carbon neutral development that incorporates innovative approaches to energy conservation and environmental sustainability. The architectural practice involved was Bill Dunster, and the developer was the Peabody Trust. The design includes the use of Rationel windows including fixed light, top and side guided units, along with double terrace doors - all critical components of the carbon neutral building. The timber used in the manufacture of the Domus range is taken exclusively from Northern European softwoods which bring with them high levels of dimensional stability, and resistance to rotting, warping and bowing. All timber sections are protected against rot and fungus prior to jointing. Factory-finished elements are stained or painted coverstory with two coats of water-based microporous highbuild paint in a variety of RAL colours, or translucent wood colour stains. Dwellings at BedZED are arranged in south facing terraces to maximise heat gain from the sun, known as passive solar gain. Each terrace is backed by northfacing offices where minimal solar gain reduces the tendency to overheat and the need for energysapping air conditioning. Through the innovative design and construction, heat from the sun and that generated by occupants and everyday activities such as cooking, is sufficient to heat BedZED dwellings to a comfortable temperature. The need for space heating, which accounts for a significant part of the energy demand in conventional buildings, is therefore dramatically reduced to about 10% of an average dwelling. Rationel has worked with Bill Dunster on other, similar schemes throughout the UK – further endorsing Rationel's environmental credentials.
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