bere:architects

Passivhaus Research

Bere Admin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:48:22 +0000

A further research trip is planned for April 2008 and Dan Gibbons will also participate in the technical and creative research that bere:architects is conducting to address the ecological imperatives of 21st century architectural design. Details will follow shortly of the directors’ forthcoming visits to some of the European mainland’s leading manufacturers of (a) timber construction products (b) Passivhaus heat recovery ventilation products (c) Passivhaus façade products. Quentin Newark, John Powner and of Atelier Works (www.atelierworks.co.uk) will also be accompanying bere:architects on part of this research trip.

Danish Embassy in London

Bere Admin — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:47:39 +0000

After a private tour of the Danish Embassy in London, designed by Arne Jacobsen, Justin Bere attended a small private reception with Tony Fretton, architect, hosted by the Danish ambassador in his ambassador’s suite above the embassy overlooking London’s Sloane Street.

BBC1 Countryfile

Bere Admin — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:46:02 +0000

Easter Sunday saw BBC1’s Countryfile programme feature Justin Bere’s eco-house ‘The Muse’. Interviewing both Justin Bere, the architect and owner of the house and Dusty Gedge of Living Roofs, the programme provided an in-depth review of the achievements and aspirations that have driven the development of this pioneering project in the Canonbury area of Islington. (more…)

Geffrye Museum 2008

Bere Admin — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:43:12 +0000

Justin Bere presented a philosophical lecture to the Geffrye Museum members’ 2008 annual general meeting. The talk explained the link between architecture and land resource management, particularly farming and food and energy production. Justin referred to Professor Tim Lang’s recent lecture at City University and lamented the lack of government planning that is clearly necessary in order to address the increasing and conflicting demands on land for housing, energy and food production. (more…)

Highbury Swimming Pool - possibly UK’s largest solar heating installation

Bere Admin — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:40:29 +0000

Justin Bere accompanied the Leader of Islington Council, Cllr James Kempton (Liberal Democrat) in giving a keynote speech at the opening of what is thought to be the UK’s largest solar heating installation to date at the Highbury Swimming Pool in the London Borough of Islington. The project was made possible by the Islington Council Climate Change Fund with an unprecedented spending budget of £3 million. Justin spoke in his capacity as an elected advisor to the council, a service provided charitably by a small group of sustainability experts. Justin praised Islington voters for electing such an environmentally responsible council and in response to a vote of thanks from Cllr Kempton, Justin in turn highlighted the dedication of all the council employees who work well beyond the call of duty in order to ensure the success of this unique and important trail-blazing scheme.

GLA Sustainability Advisory Panel

Bere Admin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:39:04 +0000

Justin Bere attended the GLA sustainability advisory panel meeting as an external advisor to the GLA. The panel meets regularly and is preparing the Mayor’s bold sustainability strategy for London.

Ecobuild 2008

Bere Admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:35:59 +0000

Justin Bere presented a lecture at Ecobuild 2008 on Passivhaus technology, which is now recognized by the RIBA as the emerging European standard for low energy design. The lecture was titled “Keep it Simple Stupid” (KISS) and explained how 15 years of Passivhaus research in Europe has resulted in proven design techniques that are clear and simple to understand and to verify for both designer and contractor. Justin argued that the clarity and authenticity of this ‘no nonsense’ approach is the essential next stage in UK sustainable design. The Passivhaus design approach overcomes the widespread confusion, failing targets, false rhetoric and ‘greenwash’ that presently plagues the UK low energy scene.

The Muse - native planting update

Bere Admin — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:14:12 +0000

20 tonnes of soil has now been loaded on to the Muse, Justin Bere’s own self-build experimental home and an all-native planting scheme has been installed in good time to get settled in before the growing season. Justin says: “at last we got 20 tonnes of soil on the roofs of my house and we have completed an all-native planting scheme, including a native hawthorn thicket, a native hazel woodland with native honeysuckle and two native wild-flower meadows. Also forty native birch trees have been planted along the gravel entranceway. The selected plants are all species native to the UK, which means they are perfectly suited to support native insects and animals, creating a comprehensive, symbiotic, fully functioning ecology. The plants were all grown in the south east of England and sourced from English Woodlands (more…)

Focus House featured in Taiwanese style magazine Egg

Bere Admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:14:48 +0000

Download Egg Magazine.pdf

Focus House in the running for World Architecture News Award

Bere Admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:34:29 +0000

Evening Standard

6 February 2008

Download Evening standard world architecture news shortlist.pdf