Students and academics at the University of Dundee have embarked on an ambitious project to design and build the UK's first entirely energy autonomous building within the city's Botanic Garden.

The 'energy autonomous' building will deliver new concepts in the design and quality of living spaces, ultra-low energy technologies and the sustainable use of material resources. Once it is complete, students will use it as a workspace while also measuring its energy efficiency.

The project is at the Building Warrant stage and information about it will form an exhibition at Dundee House, the headquarters of Dundee City Council, from Thursday July 5.

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Architecture, Renewable Energy and Engineering students are working on the design project, which will use Scottish-manufactured small-element, cross-laminated timber panels, photovoltaic panels from Renewable Resources Energy Solutions, external cladding from CUPA Slate and an innovative foamed concrete foundation installed by ProPump Engineering Ltd.

Those behind the project thanked industry supporters, saying they hope the students’ work will yield a market-applicable prototype.

"The project is designed to give students experience of designing and building a full-size, cutting-edge, ultra-low energy building which will provide new solutions to future problems that have broad relevance across the building industry," said Joseph Thurrott, who is leading the project along with his colleague Dr Neil Burford in the School of Architecture at Dundee.

More than £100,000 of in-kind contributions have already been made to the project, Mr Thurott said.

The project’s aim is to provide alternative solutions to address stringent future environmental legislation that will govern the energy efficiency of buildings.

To find out more or lend your support, visit www.macromicro.co.uk.

(NE/GK)