Braunstone is a deprived area of Leicester with high unemployment and fuel poverty. 50 houses were fitted with solar photovoltaic panels (PVs) and the aim of this project is to look at how local residents react to them. Very little information was previously know as to the impact of green technologies within socially deprived areas.

The project used semi structured interviews and questionnaires to measure not only the residents initial reactions, but their change in attitude over the course of a year. The consultation included 500 residents, and will influence policy making decisions and solar technology development in the future.

A new Health and Social care centre in Braunstone, Leicester demonstrates the technology needed to produce low energy architecture on small site and with a new building type. In the summer, fresh air is pumped into the centre from an underground labyrinth which provides cool air without the need for air conditioning systems.

This process allows the rest of the building to be constructed from a light-weight materials instead of heavy, energy intensive materials such as concrete which usually need for passive solar design. Other features of the building include a naturally lit concourse and a solar ventilation stack helping ventilate spaces on lower floors.

Libraries pose an interesting design problem as they require a large floor plan, a controlled climate and a high level of adaptability. This project set out to prove that these can be achieved without resorting to air conditioning. To achieve this a series of ventilation stacks were built around the perimeter of the building. The sun heats air in the stack causing it to rise, which allows cool air to enter the stack at the bottom, encouraging natural air circulation.

Using computer modelling techniques the hourly thermal conditions and air flow can be predicted in the building, allowing designers to fine tune the ventilation system to work more efficiently throughout the year.