AT THE end of an ordinary red-brick terrace in The Meadows sits a very unusual kind of home.

A black zinc roof and wall areas absorb natural heat and channel rainwater for indoor use.

Other walls feature strips of English-grown sweet chestnut, providing an attractive yet functional cladding which is light but strong. Carefully placed gaps in the cladding also allow natural ventilation.

The main frame – made from recycled timber pallets glued together – is stiff enough to carry concrete floors which store heat and help it keep cool.

On the south-facing side, solar panels and solar water heaters poke out, looking like mini rain shelters.

Every feature of the house has been designed with sustainability in mind, setting it technologically apart from neighbouring properties in Felton Road and Collygate Road, in The Meadows.

Yet a red-brick envelope around the bottom of the house blends it in comfortably with its surroundings.

Architect Julian Marsh designed The Meat Factory – so called because of the former use of the site – and it is now nearing completion.

"The idea was to build a house which would adapt to global warming, so it would still be comfortable when it is much hotter – and to do that in an existing urban situation," said Mr Marsh.

"It sits on the end of a terrace, which is where you lose the most heat.

"But it makes use of a courtyard on the corner which is south facing, so you can do all sorts of solar-passive design – and it insulates the end of the existing buildings at the same time.

"The biggest problem we have got in this country in terms of global warming and housing is solid-wall properties.

"They are un-insulated, generally, and 75% of what we have got now in terms of housing will still be with us in 2050, so dealing with this is a big issue."

As well as coping with a changing climate, the house will also save money on bills for the 58-year-old and wife Judy Liebert, 62.

It harnesses rainwater to cut down on tap water usage and 80% of the hot water is provided by solar water heaters.

And if Mr Marsh can secure a grant toward a wind turbine, most of the electricity needed will be provided on site, when combined with the solar panels.

Mr Marsh, a partner in Marsh Grochowski architects, said the house had prompted varying responses, but that most were positive.

"The neighbours have been really supportive," he said.

"There are a group of students who think its really cool to live next door to it.

"Some people say it doesn't fit in at all – and others say it is fantastic and they are really pleased someone has built something interesting."

He added that the city council had also been supportive, as they want to see green principles being put into practice.

"We had quite a bit of discussion about how it would sit at the back, because it was a corner site and planners were concerned it would overshadow adjacent terrace gardens," he said.

"So it has a step profile at the back to avoid that."

Mr Marsh said people were generally beginning to embrace environmentally-friendly technology and design, especially in The Meadows, where residents can get interest-free loans for green technology through the Meadows Ozone Community Energy Company.

He said the take-up would accelerate in the future.

"You can see things appearing – somebody has just put solar electricity panels up in Eckington Terrace," he said.

"And someone in Green Street has solar water heaters.

"Alan Simpson MP is trying to get through Parliament a change in the way renewable energy is charged.

"It is called 'feed-in tariffs' and would increase the amount energy companies pay for renewable energy, which helps people pay for the technology more quickly.

"Hopefully that will come in next year and make it much more affordable for everyone."

Simon Wright, head of the Energy Saving Trust East Midlands, said people could already reduce their bills and carbon footprint without having to make huge investments.

"It's not just the larger products such as washing machines and solar panels that can knock a significant amount off a consumer's electricity bill – smaller utilities like the eco-kettle can do too," he said.

"If the whole population of Greater Nottingham only boiled just the water needed to make a cup of tea instead of filling the kettle every time, collectively they would save enough cash to pay for the annual energy bills of 3,600 homes in the region – £4.6million.

"Simple changes in daily habits and a mix of energy efficiency measures could save the average home up to £340 – that's 1.5 tonnes of CO2 a year."

Find out how much difference you and your family can make to the environment – and how much money you could be saving – by calling the trust on 0800 512 012 or visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

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