10 September 2013
Go off-grid at Doors Open Days 2013
Photo opportunity: 11am, 1pm and 3pm on Saturday, 14th September at Macro Micro Studio, Botanic Garden. Attached is an image of the studio.
Members of the public will have the chance to see the UK's first 'off-grid' building powered entirely by renewable energy when
Doors Open Days 2013 take place in Dundee this weekend.
The Macro Micro Studio was designed and built by a team of architecture and engineering students from the University of
Dundee. The building, situated on the grounds of the University's Botanic Garden, utilised ultra-low-energy construction
practices to conserve heat with integrated and controlled technologies for generating, storing and exporting power.
The technology 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. Three half-hour tours of the building will take place on each
of the Door Open Days - Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September - when visitors will be given an overview of the design,
construction technologies and renewable energy systems.
One of the project leaders Dr Neil Burford, from the University's School of Architecture, said, 'We are delighted to be
able to welcome members of the public to the studio and show them what we've done. This is both to demonstrate the exceptional
work being done here as well as showing there is a real future for energy-autonomous buildings.'
The studio is one of one of dozens of buildings across the city that will be throwing open its doors and welcoming the
public in at the weekend. Fire stations, places of worship, theatres, art centres and community centres are just some of
the Dundee landmarks that will be participating. Hundreds of people will be allowed to access all areas in fascinating
buildings not normally open to the public as well as taking part in events, tours and talks for all ages
Doors Open Days in Dundee is organised by the University of Dundee's public outreach team, and several buildings across
campus will welcome visitors as part of the programme. Dr Jon Urch, Public Outreach Coordinator at the University, said this year's
event had a particular focus on the creative arts as Dundee bids to be named UK City of Culture 2017.
'Visitors will be able to view murals from renowned Scottish artist Alberto Morocco, tour the award-winning Vanilla Ink
studios, home to some of Scotland's most exciting new jewellery designers,' he said. 'Backstage tours at the Dundee Rep
and Little Theatre will take place, allowing people to see the stage sets, expansive wardrobes and other behind-the-scenes
activity.
'The Caird Hall and Radio Tay studios will be hosting free tours, showcasing where some of music's top stars have visited,
performed and been interviewed. And this is only part of the line-up. Some of the tours fill up quickly so it is advisable
to book in advance.'
As part of its Doors Open Days offering, the University will host a Family Fun Day at the Dalhousie Building from 10am-2pm,
with a range of activities for all ages and refreshments served. There will also be tours of various university buildings a
chance to find out about the world-leading research, cultural and creative endeavours and other activities that take place
across the campus.
Doors Open Days take place throughout Scotland every September and are part of European Heritage Days. This annual
festival celebrates Scotland's buildings, places and spaces, old and new. It is organised locally by groups and individuals
around the country and nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust. With the help of many volunteers, these events will open up
historic and contemporary buildings that are not normally accessible to the public.
For further information please call 01382 386660 or email revealingresearch@dundee.ac.uk.
For media enquiries on the day, Dr Urch can be contacted on 07812 598394.
For a full list of venues visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk.
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 |
