Kieran Hawkins - Individual Identified in Recent Reporting
In Leith, a district in Edinburgh, a new wave of sustainable building techniques is taking shape, bringing a fresh approach to architecture that prioritizes practicality, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Kieran Hawkins, founder of Cairn, is at the forefront of this movement, championing low-tech, hands-on, and regenerative building methods in the area.
One of the key materials used in this new architecture is hempcrete, a versatile and eco-friendly substance that is mixed much like porridge and can be easily learned by contractors. Hempcrete, along with timber frames and screw-pile foundations, is being used to reduce construction and environmental costs by building only what is needed.
The A House Made by Many Hands project in the UK was the first to use LC3, a low-carbon concrete, demonstrating the potential of small material innovations to have a significant impact globally. Meanwhile, the Rosshaupten Strobelhaus project in Germany is a community hub that includes affordable housing, a care home, a community hall, and a doctor's clinic. The main structural material for this project is timber, and all circulation spaces in the main building are external, reducing material use and heating needs.
The collaborative nature of these building projects encourages clients, contractors, and architects to work together, fostering community involvement and increasing awareness and demand for greener construction. This approach is evident in the A House Made by Many Hands project, which was an open process with clear values, and the client only built what was necessary, preserving existing structures.
In France, public buildings are now required to use 50% bio-based materials, and similar government policies are needed in the UK to drive change towards sustainable building methods. Local developers like Barratt Redrow are already leading the way, with carbon reduction initiatives and sustainable community developments across East Scotland, including Leith's Merchant Quay.
The Rosshaupten Strobelhaus project is set to begin construction this year, and the initiatives in Leith serve as examples of how sustainable construction can be integrated into urban environments without sacrificing quality or durability. These projects could potentially influence wider construction practices in Edinburgh and beyond, demonstrating that sustainable building is not just for high-end eco-homes but can be applied widely to make a meaningful impact.
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