Project summary

The BedZED development located in South London, England, is a mixed-use housing and workspace project that integrates sustainable design practices into many aspects of its design and construction process. Completed in September, 2002, the scheme consists of 82 residential dwellings, 18 live/work spaces and further work-only spaces, together comprising 8,500 m² of floor space. The scheme uses a load-bearing masonry structure, but with some structural steel elements, particularly in the workspace areas. It illustrates how reclaimed steel (and other reclaimed materials) from local sources can be readily integrated into a development of this kind, significantly reducing embodied energy, other environmental impacts and costs. This case study focuses on how suitable reclaimed structural steel from local sources was identified and used in the buildings, and what lessons are relevant for other projects.

This case study was prepared by Carmela Sergio and Dr. Mark Gorgolewski at the Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University.The authors are grateful for the information and images provided by Nicole Lazarus of Bioregional Reclaimed and Bill Dunster Architects.