19 December 2013

MSPs to view progress of pioneering 'energy autonomous' building

Photo opportunity: 11am at the Macro Micro Studio, Botanic Garden, Dundee.

Dundee MSPs Shona Robison and Joe Fitzpatrick will tomorrow visit the city's Botanic Garden to view progress on the UK's first 'off-grid' building powered entirely by renewable energy.

The macro Micro Studio was designed and built by a team of architecture, physics and engineering students and staff from the University of Dundee. The building, situated on the grounds of the University's Botanic Garden, utilises ultra-low-energy construction practices to conserve heat with integrated and controlled technologies for generating, storing and exporting power.

Ms Robison and Mr Fitzpatrick will listen to a series of short presentations on the issues surrounding the project before they are given a tour of the building, which will include an update on its progress and future developments.

The technology being integrated into the building exceeds current best practice for high-performance buildings in Europe, and aims to bring solutions for a new generation of such buildings into the mainstream of design.

'The aim is to provide the MSPs with an overview of the design, construction technologies and renewable energy systems, and to highlight the leading-edge work in this area being carried out here in Dundee,' explained Dr Neil Burford, one of the project leaders in Architecture from the University's School of the Environment.

'We are always delighted to be able to welcome people to the building and showcase our vision, make them think about all the issues surrounding renewable energy and sustainable development, and demonstrate that there is a real future for renewable energy-powered buildings.'

The Macro Micro Studio will advance and elevate building standards by delivering new concepts in the design and quality of living spaces, ultra-low energy technologies and the sustainable use of material resources. Once the building is complete, it will be used as an office and exhibition space while also measuring its energy efficiency and user behaviour

Work began on the project in December last year and the construction of the external shell was recently completed thanks to a large amount of in-kind help from industry. The next stages will see the installation of the renewable energy systems for a completion of the first phase of the project by May 2014.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277