SHOWCASE

Home Grown Cabin

The Home Grown Cabin is a collaborative research programme funded by the Forestry Commission, London Metropolitan University and Grown in Britain. The cabin demonstrates the regenerative, circular and scalable potential of locally sourced coppiced hardwood in construction. The building is designed as an educational demonstrator, promoting the potential of durable locally grown hardwood in the built environment by revealing its layers of construction. Fast growth, unseasoned coppiced sweet chestnut timber was used to make low embodied energy and low embodied carbon structural insulated panels (SIPS). The SIPS are based on a Vierendeel truss made from two inverted half-rounds of coppiced timber cut from a single, straight-growth pole.

What are the key innovative aspects of the project and the story behind it?

Use of locally sourced coppiced timber promotes regional biodiversity, woodland health, a sustainable local economy and carbon capture and storage. The A-frame design of the cabin facilitated minimal processing steps, reduced cost and increased speed of construction. The result is a novel and sustainable SIPS building system made from local hardwood that can be prefabricated, assembled/disassembled and re-used as part of a regenerative circular economy.

Image Credit: London Metropolitan University, Home Grown Cabin

Image Credit: London Metropolitan University, Home Grown Cabin

Image Credit: London Metropolitan University, Home Grown Cabin

Image Credit: London Metropolitan University, Home Grown Cabin

https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/research/centres-groups-and-units/the-centre-for-creative-arts-cultures-and-engagement-creature/research-projects-/home-grown-cabin-/

Latest news

UUCN panel event for London Climate Action Week

UUCN panel event for London Climate Action Week

The UUCN is hosting a panel event at London Climate Action Week 2024! Join us on Tuesday 25 June, 4:00 - 5:30pm at the Royal Institution. As a hub for knowledge, training, and innovation, the ... Read more

Climate innovation: what role can universities play?

Climate innovation: what role can universities play?

Ahead of Innovation Zero, UUCN co-chair Alyssa Gilbert shares her perspective on the importance of universities in climate innovation.  Read more

Member blog: Climate action is for all, not just the wealthy

Member blog: Climate action is for all, not just the wealthy

In this blog, Hettie Moorcroft, Sam Hampton & Lorraine Whitmarsh from the University of Bath discuss misconceptions around concern about climate change, income level, and ability to take ... Read more

Loading...