Next Project

Macro Micro Studio - Zero energy prototype studio

Part 2 Project 2013
Ciaran Golden
Min Chen
Gabriella Da Cruz Welsh
Ryan Watson
Joanne Potter
Michael Findlater
Dean Crosley
Ruaridh Nicol
University of Dundee | UK
The Marco Micro Studio is a 50m2 Passivhaus standard, off-grid demonstrator project developed and built by the University of Dundee’s Macro Micro research unit. The project is unique in that it is completely student led and adopts a self-build approach. The design and technologies within the studio will be tested in real-world scenarios, generating an understanding of the relationship between user behaviour and technical performance.

The aim is to mainstream regional focused and contextually responsive solutions for off-grid renewable energy buildings. The project forges new collaborations between researchers, designers and industry professionals thereby generating new knowledge and solutions that are affordable, self-build and net-zero energy. The building is a prototype and will showcase these new strategies and their wider applicability to the housing sector and home owners.

The objectives of the project are to go beyond the UK’s current and future environmental legislation governing energy efficiency of buildings. This is done by providing a Passivhaus compliant, off-grid building that relies on renewable energy sources as the only means of generating space heating, hot water and power.

The project is being delivered by a multi-disciplinary team from across the University comprising of the Macro Micro Studio, an Architecture Masters Unit consisting of two years cohorts working together with researchers from the Department of Physics, Mechanical and Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee. Students from the previous year’s Macro Micro unit had developed a number of relationships with industry professionals and the project has gained significant support over the two years in terms of in-kind expertise, direct funding, with materials and components being contributed for the build.

The studio will be continually monitored post occupancy by the University of Dundee to evaluate performance of the design and services which will begin to inform future projects. Through an innovative and education led design the project can open up opportunities to inspire or inform the architecture and construction industries and future student led projects.

Ciaran Golden
Min Chen
Gabriella Da Cruz Welsh
Ryan Watson
Joanne Potter
Michael Findlater
Dean Crosley
Ruaridh Nicol

Tutor(s)

2013
• Page Hits: 6499         • Entry Date: 17 September 2013         • Last Update: 18 September 2013