Phlorum won a competition to display their Life-Cycle Carbon Footprinting model in the Innovation Future Zone at Ecobuild last month.

The project was deemed one of 20 innovations most likely to have a large impact on the environmental future of the construction industry, chosen from those who applied for the position to CIRIA. Anthony stood by the model for three long days explaining the rationale behind the method, and the potential of the model in reducing embodied carbon emissions. Such emissions will account for 100% of total emissions associated with a dwelling come 2016, when all new-build homes are expected to be zero-carbon. Through testing of scenarios, it was found that a dwelling built with environmentally friendly yet common materials (such as sustainably sourced timber) could attain a ‘zero-carbon footprint’ after 50 years with the aid of renewable technologies such as a biomass boiler and photovoltaic panels.

The event was a success, with many representatives of organisations displaying their interest in the final product, which is expected to be launched at the end of 2010. The video shows Anthony discussing the functionality of the model with an interested party.

Phlorum embodied carbon tool at Ecobuild 2010

Phlorum will be exhibiting their life-cycle carbon footprint model at Ecobuild. The model has been created as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Brighton, and the project is halfway through its two-year duration. Phlorum won the opportunity to exhibit through a competition run by the Modern Built Environment Knowledge Transfer Network (a subsiduary of CIRIA), which looked to find the most innovative and creative projects aiming to have an effect on sustainability of the construction industry in the UK.

The life-cycle carbon footprint calculator estimates the whole-life carbon emissions associated with new-build residential developments. This includes the carbon embodied within a dwelling, in its materials, methods and techniques of construction, associated with the use of the building, in the operation of its building services, lights and appliances, and emissions resulting from deconstruction or demolition of the building. The model is intended to be used as a design tool to reduce such emissions, promoting alternative materials and methods of construction, especially those with low embodied energy or embodied carbon. Use of the model could halve the amount of carbon embodied within the dwelling, and help with making the dwelling  ‘zero-carbon’ over its lifetime.

To see the model for yourself, come and chat with us at the innovation zone at Ecobuild, from Tuesday 2nd March 2010 to Thursday 4th.