Big homes with small heating bills

When Sligo architect Colin Bell gave his first course on green building at the Organic Centre, Co Leitrim in 1997, his main thrust was the promotion of the energy efficient, sustainable home.

When Sligo architect Colin Bell gave his first course on green building at the Organic Centre, Co Leitrim in 1997, his main thrust was the promotion of the energy efficient, sustainable home.

It was a novel idea at the time and one that flew in the face of traditional Irish construction methods. A decade on, however, the concept has gone global and since January of this year every new build throughout the EU ...