Centre for Sustainability of the Built Environment (CSBE)

Projects

The Centre is active in the national and international fields, for instance: Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (formerly the Teaching Company Schemes) with Robens Underfloor Heating Ltd. and Omonva wallcovering company; collaborating with the University of Rouen in the ARTEPA and Durabuild projects; as part of a multi-national consortium in the WINDS project in developing teaching materials for a 'virtual university' and the ENDOHOUSE project in developing a thermal-store using phase change materials for heating and cooling of buildings.

The centre undertakes a number of research projects, some recent examples are:

  • the bioshading project investigates the energy and thermal performance of deciduous plants as shading devices
  • the deciduous roof project mathematically models the effect of growing vines to shade roofs from peak summer gains
  • the solar thermal storage project evaluates the potential for reducing space heating loads by storing solar gains in phase change materials
  • the indoor air quality project investigates the air quality criteria, distibution and the implication on energy consumption in air-conditioned buildings
  • the smart-wallcovering project investigates the thermal performance and energy saving potential of phase change materials in wall coverings
  • the kitchen refurbishment project models the life-cycle environmental impact of kitchen components
  • the glazed facade project investigates the life-cycle environmental impact of using light-weight glazed facade in office buildings
  • the TEC-cement project
  • the LCA learning package project
  • the Earthtube project
  • the off-site construction project
  • the environmental assessment of design project
  • the Eastborne swimming project

Over 20 case studies recently completed can be found from the Durabuild web site.

Back to top