Welcome to Tracing Green

As an architect with a passion for sustainable design, I’ve watched the progress of green building in the UK since returning to the region in 2005. Time and time again I’m impressed by the work of knowledgeable clients, environmentally aware designers, and green champions in the North East. At Tracing Green, we want to celebrate the work of these people, and inspire others who may be considering their own low-energy or environment-friendly project.

The North East already has a lot to be proud of. Besides the numerous individuals and organisations working in sustainable design, construction and technology, we have some excellent research institutions including Northumbria university, and the National Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in Blyth.  We also have a growing portfolio of green buildings including the Racecourse Estate in Houghton-le-Spring, one of the largest residential PassivHaus schemes in the UK. At the other end of the scale are many small community projects aiming to make targeted improvements to the local environment, such as those lead by Groundwork.

Over the coming months and years, our contributors will aim to bring you features and comment to help you make sense of sustainability in our region. Read on…