Sage is pleased to support the work of Averil Stedeford, who we first met when planning Environment Sunday 2005 as she is a member of St. Columba's URC church in Oxford. Averil had recently moved into a run down semi in Headington, and had big plans to turn it into an environmentally friendly house. She suggested that we cover the whole project from its beginnings in summer 2005, to the end in 2008. Averil is keen to publicise her efforts as she hopes to encourage others to follow her lead in the future. So follow her story below, and see the photos of key stages in the project. These are available at Ecohouse- before (8th July 2005), Ecohouse- early stages (between 3rd November 2005 and 17th January 2006), Ecohouse- later stages (between 12th April 2006 and 16th May 2006), Ecohouse- later stages 2 (22nd May to 23rd June 2006), Ecohouse- later stages 3 (July 2006), Ecohouse- work nearing completion (12th October 2006) and Ecohouse- work completed! (May 2008).

An urban semi-detached house built in 1958 is having a makeover. All being well, it will have a wind turbine above the roof. Photo voltaic cells will convert light to electricity, and solar panels will heat water. Nine-tenths of the rain that falls on it will be stored in an underground tank and pumped when needed to flush toilets, wash clothes, water the garden etc. These are the exciting bits but a great deal more is being done to make it as eco-friendly as possible. There is much scope for renovation. Efficient central heating, cavity wall insulation, and piling fleece high in the loft will keep the house warm using much less fuel. The rotting window frames will be replaced by the best double glazing, made of sustainable timber. An extension will be wooden too, roofed with cedar shingles.

Why do all this? I have been recently widowed and have sold our rather large house and bought this one in a place which will be more suitable for a woman growing old. Global warming and water shortages alarm me. Now I have a chance to act, to explore just what could be done by someone of moderate means (using available grants) to make a very ordinary house as environmentally friendly as possible. A small group of architects have taken up the project with enthusiasm, recognising that together we seem to be breaking new ground. Designing efficient new buildings is more glamorous perhaps, but changing thousands of existing houses will do much more good in the short term. So what we learn will be made freely available and I hope many will be inspired to take advantage of our work.