Ecobuild 2011

Attraction in the lecture series are:

• Human rights campaigner – Bianca Jagger
• Professor Brian Cox
• Tim Smit of the Eden Project
• Baroness Susan Greenfield
• Many others

Taking a look at the built environment from a different perspective, Ecobuild’s lectures are inspiring, provocative and entertaining and consider

• The age of unreason: the psychology of climate change
• Socially Big
• the role of social enterprise in the regeneration of civil society
• Can science save us?
• Many others

And there is even more:

• Very large exhibition – over 1,300 exhibitors – with many experts to answer practical questions
• Beyond Construction and Design
• Architecture and sustainability
• More than 130 free seminars
• Special attractions:
• Cool workspace
• NaturalZED
• Solar hub
• Many others

For Ecobuild tickets click here >

We have removed the Christmas articles on trees, decorations, green Christmas and presents.

We are adding articles on

• fireplaces
• double glazing
• insulation
• snow clearance

These will be online in the next week.

See our lighting and lights pages:

Lamps, lighting, lights design, uplighters, chandeliers >

Light in basement, cellars, underground lighting >

Lighting the home, house, commercial, shops >

Llighting, lights, technology types, halogen, neon, LED, solar, laser >

Llighting outdoors, garden lights, solar, safety >

Lighting outdoors, security lighting, safety lights >

Lighting work, workplace, office lights, design, types, safety >

Light pollution, artificial lighting, natural light, skyglow >

Here are some light images, we used some interesting lighthouse lamp photos, and also building site night photo:

Building site cranes with outdoor security safety lighting

Lighthouse lamps

Biochar machine

Terra preta (“black earth” in Portuguese) is a sort of enriched soil, dark in color.

Biochar and Terra Preta was first ‘discovered’in the Amazon Basin, where it has been used for over 2000 years.

Local peasant and small farmers and caboclos (mixed race, European and Brazilian Amerindian) in the Amazonian basin.

Biochar is a type of charcoal made by pyrolysis of biomass.
Unlike charcoal it is not burnt for fuel.

Biochar is used as a soil enricher, and as a byproduct, stores carbon that would otherwise enter the atmosphere. Carbon is locked into the soil.

Ever increasing pollution is causing poisonous effects for life on earth. It’s also the reason for Ozone depletion and global warming. Biochar is a fine-grained charcoal made from biomass used mainly for agriculture purposes. It is incredibly helpful in reducing pollution and carbon dioxide effects.

Biochar has been used for over thousands of years and is now getting a lot of attention for its ability to lessen green house gases.

Benefits of Biochar

Biochar is used with soil compost in order to provide rich fertilizer allowing soil to store more carbon in it.
Directly stores carbon that stays in the soil for thousands of years
It helps plants and vegetables absorb more nutrients from the soil

• Lessens soil acidity and groundwater pollution
• Biochar speeds up the decaying process in soil
• Making biochar results in production of a byproduct called bio-fuel which can be a substitute of diesel containing very little amount of carbon dioxide in it.
• It helps soil retain its nutrients for a longer period of time and lessens need for irrigation.
• Biochar production requires very little or no oxygen and less emission of carbon dioxide.
• It provides solution for animal wastes.

Production of Biochar

Biochar is made with waste from plants and agriculture matter called biomass. It is produced through a process known as pyrolysis. A kiln or furnace which needs low or no oxygen to burn with, is filled with organic material like wood, grass, farmyard scraps, animal manure, crop remains and other agricultural waste.

Pyrolysis process starts with heating furnace at 700˚C approx and adding organic matter into it. This slowly burning process results in production of three products : one is biochar which has the ability to retain carbon and the other is syngas – which contains carbon monoxide and little amount of carbon dioxide in it and third is bio-fuel.

Biochar, along with byproducts, is then processed in a gasifier through the process of gasification. This produces more refined biochar and bio-fuel. Syngas obtained from gasifier acts as useful energy to power pyrolysis furnace. Most of the carbon produced in the burning process is locked inside biochar therefore there is very less chance of carbon emission in air.

To fight against global warming and harmful gases with simultaneous increase in productivity, biochar is really an economic and environment friendly means to produce nutrient rich fertilizer, equally acting as a trapper for poisonous gases so it must be produced on large scales and governments must emphasize and assist in its production.
(by our bio tech writer)

See also:

Green DIY building advice >

Energy microgeneration >

Wiki biochar >

Some jobs are too big for DIY because

• too skilled or large scale – needs many builders to do it
• needs special equipment – diggers, scaffolding, etc
• needs builders professional insurance or professional sign-off – safety is most important

Roofing diy building - job for a builder?

But most of these factors can be solved by specific hire of equipment or builders (or labourers) for jobs. If you lack skills, hire in those specific skills for the job, or carefully learn first.

Some home jobs are done even by people who don’t think of themselves as DIY people. This includes

• painting, even quite large painting jobs are done by householders
• repairs - changing a fuse is a job
• interior design – where to put the new TV and sofa
• gardening and garden design – you don’t often call in a landscaping expert

For instance, making a wall, even a low one, by bricklaying is skilled, but can be learnt if you are keen. Bricks can be delivered, and even carried through to where you need them.

Foundations - this is a big job but say for an extension or shed, or garden building, can be done with a do it yourself approach – hire a small digger, hire people to do the ‘muck away’ – clearing the soil and rubbish – and have hardcore (rocks etc) and concrete delivered.

Roofing - another skilled and dangerous job – but can be ‘do it yourself’ if you are determined, depending on type of roof, height, etc

Generally though, these big building jobs are too much hassle, with too many risks, for a do it yourself approach.

It will also take far longer to try and do it yourself – speed is important in building work.

You also want solid quality work, which even your best DIY might not achieve.

With electrical, plumbing, energy, insulation, sound proofing, and other specific skills, you will need professional safety sign-off. A lot of the simpler work can be DIY though. It is just a complex area, so will take up a lot of time and energy.

Also builders costs are lower these days.

So we would have to say – if it needs more than two people to do (ie yourself and a friend, or a hired hand) then use a professional builder. Some people have even built a house themselves – although of course by the end, they will know a lot and not really be typical DIY enthusiasts!

Garden jobs are suitable for DIY as if the garden shed falls down it won’t kill anyone (perhaps the cat).

So start with a brick border, raised bed, or a brick or stone barbecue, a driveway or walls.

Timber building and use of wood is easier than using metal for DIY – and you will get an attractive result even if you are not totally accurate. It is also lighter and easy to work. Start with garden structures like storage and sheds, or fencing, decking etc.

Wooden building for roof gable - skilled large job

See our big sections on DIY building >

and Advice for Builders and Building process >

Build a brick barbecue >

Build a garage, plans and kits for garages >

Build a driveway >

Roof and Roofing >

It is easy to join – just create an account by registering your basic details, then add articles with images, videos, text, and links.

There are many sections including

* Architecture & Design
* Building & Construction, Plant equipment, Tools, Lease, Hire & Buy
* Building Advice
* Green advice & Info
* Landscaping & Gardening

We also have sections for

* Photography
* Websites and Internet
* Vans, transport, plant
* Software for graphics, architecture etc
* Educational toys
* Other – which is anything you want like hobbies, essays.

This is brand new so we haven’t got any articles in there yet!

The gardeners got there first and put them in, which was not the plan, but keeps people employed.

These are around the main entrance with the waterfalls, and a few other places.

See also Building DIY gardening advice >

And Green roof & Vertical gardens >

Some more pictures:

Miami Green condos Penang - 12 trees planted for Earth Day 2010

Miami Green condos Penang side area where the trees were planted for Earth Day 2010

Miami Green condos

Eco show at Buildstore

Dave Hilton an eco expert is giving a talk, along with many others. This is at Buildstore exhibition centre at Swindon off M4 junction 16 >.

For a ticket see here >

See also our Building DIY green advice section >

and Solar section >

And Green roof, vertical gardening >

Also coming 2010:
Sat 10th April Eco Workshop – Sustainable Building Systems
26th – 30 April Self Build Course
15th – 16th May Affordable Self Build Weekend
Sat 12th June Eco Workshop – Sustainable Heat & Energy

Timothy Wooi hydro car Penang Malaysia

There is a series of talks at the British Council, Penang, Malaysia.

The Lecture Series is organized by Global Leadership Consultants in collaboration with Asian Global Business, GeorgeTown College and HELP University College. They use the British Council, Penang rooms as they share the building.

This talk on 18 March 2010 was about easy green tips to save energy, save water, and help combat climate change. Timothy went through the carbon cycle then on to quick tips to save water and energy. He showed many of his home made gadgets such as a folding bicycle and a coffee heater.

More details of Timothy Wooi’s energy and water saving devices on the site later.

And GeorgeTown College Penang >

Also British Council Malaysia Penang >

British Coucncil building Penang Malaysia

British Council sign on building Penang Malaysia

All the services, products, advice, and ideas to help you improve your home, office, garden or business. There are over 450 specialised companies for plot finding, finance, energy saving, wooden frame, gardens, lofts etc.

All in one easy to find venue (find Britain – it is in the middle).

See if you can get free tickets – most people qualify

Free tickets for National Homebuilding & Renovating Show Birmingham >