Civilisation is in the midst of a transition to a post-hydrocarbon era. Adapting to this future challenge requires living without resort to fossil fuels for power, transportation and heating. Transitioning our homes to operate free of their reliance on fossil-fuels involves decarbonising its construction process and its operation in use. The UK’s journey towards decarbonisation has already started with the declaration of a ‘Climate Change Emergency’. South Norfolk District Council’s own declaration in February 2019 was a call to action in preparing communities;

“for the changes that will be necessary”

Dial Cottage directly responds to that challenge. This is a building design solution that delivers immediately, a home that makes the transition to a fossil-fuel-free existence, one ready for the post-hydrocarbon phase. It self-regulates its internal air temperature without resort to mechanical appliances, is naturally ventilated, generates its own energy, harvests its own water and manages its own waste.

It is these building characteristics that will be imperative in a decarbonised world. Energy independence with an off-grid capability will assist in reducing issues of grid capacity and form an integral part of smart micro grids. Annually, Dial Cottage will generate a surplus of energy, sufficient to power another dwelling.

If predictions of a warming climate and population increase prove accurate, then another building imperative could be to include better conservation and harvesting of our most precious finite resource, water. At Dial Cottage, all its water will be sourced on site.

Dial Cottage’s story of transition is to become a book, in which, Robert and Belinda Ashton will share thejourney working towards decarbonising their lives.