Project updates, upcoming events and more details on the project ill be added soon. In the mean time, please click on images of the project below. All images copyright to Solearth Architects.

The Emerald Project comprises of 37 houses and apartments, with 13 units as affordable co-operative houses (Emerald Co-op) and 24 social units (Cluid)

Emerald represents a comprehensive and integrated advancement in energy, ecology and information innovations

Average DEAP rating is A2 with some units achieving A1

Negative CO2 usage rating.

The project will feature innovations in the following areas:

Zero Co2 emissions and healthy comfort

• Biomass boilers (group heating)
• Radiant wall heat delivery
• On site renewables; (distributed solar electrical power) - Photo-voltaics
• Solar Thermal

Passive ventilation & passive heat recovery.

Super skin, a high performance building envelope

• Passive solar windows and conservatory design
• Ultra low heat loss walls and roofs
• Air tightness and breathability (via healthy methods)

Reduced reliance on electrical appliances

• Cool Larders (passively-cooled ‘larders’ alternative to fridges)
• Solar greenhouse clothes drying spaces

Water conservation

• Grey-water recycling
• Rainwater harvesting

Advanced electrics

• Grid connection (with smart metering and load shifting)
• Healthy Electrics (reduction of EMFs by design)
• Demonstration and live vital sign feedback - to encourage resource (power, heat, water) conservation

Low-embodied energy and low Co2 construction systems

In-vessel composting machine

Communal allotment style gardens

Electric Car and superior bike parking facilities

Sustainable Drainage Systems & Green Roofs

Public education facilities to disseminate the above

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting on performance

This will be the first time in the State that such a careful blend of advances have been integrated together, the first time that most of these innovations will have been used in a project of this size, and certainly the first time that most of these will have been used in social and co-operative housing

Emerald has a co-operative vision amongst its members and partners (Cluid). To live in a ground-breaking eco building is only a part of the way towards a healthier lifestyle.  How we live and interact within this building as neighbours is the overall challenge