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The University of Nottingham has become home to the first of six prototype buildings which aim to showcase innovative state-of-the-art energy efficient homes of the future.

Built by supplier BASF, in collaboration with the School of Built Environment, the building is constructed on the University Park site and is part of the Creative Energy Homes Project.

Construction firms Stoneguard, Roger Bullivant Ltd, EON and Tarmac are also funding similar projects. Four of the homes have already been built.

The show homes have been designed to various degrees of innovation and flexibility to allow the testing of different aspects of modern methods of construction (MMC).

This includes layout and form, cladding materials, roof structures, foundations, glazing materials, thermal performance, building services systems, sustainable/ renewable energy technologies, lighting systems, acoustics and water supply.

Project initiator Saffa Riffat, professor of Sustainable Energy Systems, believes the project provides a platform for the college to explore different approaches to low carbon house design in conjunction with industry.

With the Stoneguard C60 research house, for instance, close links have been encouraged between the firm, students, the university and all the participating companies throughout the project.