Photo by Tom Chance via flickr: http://bit.ly/ruSG54

In the decade since its completion, the Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), a housing development in South London, has become an acclaimed case study for sustainable development. BedZed is renowned for its ambitious goal of creating a zero fossil-energy development producing no net carbon emissions. The use of reclaimed materials was a critical component of reaching this goal and, as such, the impact of material reuse was extensively documented and analyzed from the beginning the project. Using whole-life costing, an approach which considers the full lifecycle (from “cradle to grave”), the project team was able to make informed decisions about the environmental as well as financial costs and benefits for each material they chose to use. When the project opened, the team could proudly boast that using over 1,500 tons of reclaimed materials had resulted in a net cost savings and an overall reduction in the project’s eco-footprint by over 10%. The reclaimed materials included over 98 tons of structural steel recovered from the Brighton railway station, 175,000 feet of timber studwork, and 7,500 square feet of floor boards, among others. The extensive analysis and lessons learned through construction convinced the client that future developments could easily incorporate up to 4 times as much reclaimed material with equally impressive results.

Reclaimed Materials (by application): Metals, Wood/Lumber, Doors and Windows

Key Info
Location: Hackbridge, South London, UK
Year completed: 2002
Architect: Bill Dunster Architects
Client: Peabody Trust
Building Physics Engineers, Building Services Engineers: Ove Arup & Partners
Structural & Civil Engineer: Ellis & Moore Consulting Engineers
Construction Manager: Gardinier & Theobald

Learn more
Ove Arup Project Description