{"id":1682,"date":"2017-10-18T10:10:47","date_gmt":"2017-10-18T10:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/sussexenergygroup\/?p=1682"},"modified":"2017-10-18T10:10:47","modified_gmt":"2017-10-18T10:10:47","slug":"intermediaries-champions-unsung-heroes-low-energy-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/sussexenergygroup\/2017\/10\/18\/intermediaries-champions-unsung-heroes-low-energy-housing\/","title":{"rendered":"Intermediaries and champions: the unsung heroes of low energy housing"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Mari Martiskainen<\/a> and Paula Kivimaa<\/a><\/p>\n

Have you ever wanted to see what it\u2019s like inside a low energy home? In Brighton you can, through\u00a0Eco Open Houses<\/a>, an event showcasing the latest ideas and practices in low energy, sustainable homes. The event is not only a boon for those who enjoy the opportunity to nosy around someone else\u2019s home, but also has a key role in catalysing low energy housing projects in the local area.<\/p>\n

Eco Open Houses is an example of a so-called \u2018intermediary\u2019: \u00a0an organisation or individual that can act as \u2018go-between\u2019 and who can\u00a0mediate and connect individuals, groups, resources and knowledge across sectors<\/a>. In recent years, many UK policy measures to support the delivery of energy efficiency in buildings have been\u00a0watered down<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0scrapped<\/a>. In this context, intermediaries and champions who can translate learning from projects, share it with others and actively promote low energy homes, are vital if we are to achieve a transition to climate-friendly housing.<\/p>\n

Investigating intermediaries for low energy homes in Brighton<\/h3>\n

The City of Brighton and Hove, with a population of 250,000, has been regarded as one of the UK\u2019s \u2018hotspots\u2019 for green living. As part of our project,\u00a0Low Energy Housing Innovations and the role of Intermediaries<\/a>, we wanted to find out how low energy homes could be supported through dedicated activities provided by intermediaries. We analysed three in-depth case studies of new-built homes in Brighton. These included a self-built home (Hartington Road), a privately built house involving a contracted architect and a builder (Grantham Road), and a large commercial housing development of 172 apartments (One Brighton).<\/p>\n\n\t\t