What do we mean by using sustainable materials in the ecological crisis?
Here at Orchard Barn, we use sustainable materials in everything we do, and but what exactly does this mean to us? Sustainable materials are sourced from low impact or renewable resources, have a smaller footprint to manufacture or use, and are easier to break down at the end of their life.
- We source local materials with minimal transport costs and emissions, such as the local straw used to make the insulation for the walls of our Long House.
- We use natural materials in our buildings. This week we have been digging clay on our site to make into clay lump blocks for building. We also use wood from local coppiced woodlands which will regrow to be harvested again.
- The timber frame and wooden roof tiles of our Long House, have locked away many tonnes of carbon for the life of the building, compared to modern mass-produced material which generates carbon during manufacture.
- We recycle anything we can rather than throw it away. Recently we removed 12 tonnes of concrete floor from the Long House, using wheelbarrows as transport. The concrete will be crushed on site and put back as a foundation for the new earth floor.
- Most of the components for our Long House are made by hand using traditional hand tools, which may be slower but use no electricity.
We are proud to work with students from University College London, and Suffolk New College, who are the next generation of builders and architects, to educate them in using sustainable materials in the future.
To find out more about us and what we do, or to volunteer with us, take a look at our website: www.orchardbarn.org.uk, call Sarah: 07766 054042 or email her: sarah.orchardbarn@gmail.com
Orchard Barn, Ringshall, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 2LY
Learning from the past how to build a greener future