Sussex-based Vent-Axia has donated ventilation equipment to the innovative Waste House project, which is launched today in an opening ceremony held at Brighton University.

The firm supplied a Sentinel Kinetic Plus Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit to Britain’s first house made almost entirely from thrown-away rubbish.

Located in the grounds of the University of Brighton, approximately 85% of the building is made from discarded materials enabling the Waste House to achieve a negative carbon footprint. In addition, the Waste House leads the way in efficiency as one of the first buildings in the UK to gain an 'A' rated Energy Performance Certificate.

Designed by University of Brighton lecturer and architect at BBM, Duncan Baker-Brown and built by main contractor Mears Group, the Waste House has local support including collaboration with the University of Brighton, the recycling organisation Freegle, Brighton and Hove City Council and City College. 


An exemplum of sustainable design and zero carbon living the Waste House is made from ‘rubbish’ and discarded building materials. The cavity walls are packed with materials otherwise destined for landfill – denim, VHS tapes, audio cassettes, floppy discs, remnant wallpaper, carpet tiles etc.


Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport donated over 20,000 used toothbrushes provided in Business and First Class, now packed into the Waste House wall cavities. As the structure is highly-insulated and airtight, a MVHR system was specified to provide ventilation and heating.

Vent-Axia therefore donated an ex-test model Sentinel Kinetic Plus and in the true spirit of the project.

The inspiration for the Waste House was an earlier house designed for Channel Four’s Grand Designs series in 2008 by lecturer and architect Duncan Baker-Brown, working with presenter Kevin McCloud who is a supporter of the Brighton project. Mr Baker-Brown said, "The purpose of the Waste House is to show that we can re-use materials in building so re-using Vent-Axia’s second-hand MVHR system is an important part of the picture. The unit was also a significant factor in the Waste House being awarded its A-rated Energy Performance Certificate as the MVHR is highly energy efficient. The Vent-Axia people who came to install the system were so friendly and happy to demonstrate how it works making it a great learning process for the students. 
Ian Mitchell, Product Marketing Manager – New Build Residential at Vent-Axia said: "At Vent-Axia we are delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile project that will act as an exemplum for future sustainable design and construction helping build the houses of the future. As our homes become ever more air tight and thermally efficient it becomes increasingly important to ventilate effectively and efficiently to ensure good indoor air quality. This is driving the growth of MVHR systems like our highly efficient Sentinel Kinetic Plus." 
Students, apprentices, local builders and school children have all been involved with the making of the Waste House, with the ambition to train students and apprentices around emerging green industries. Similar in size to a detached house the Waste House will function as Brighton University’s sustainability learning centre.



(MH/IT)