NEWS UPDATES;
March 2010 Site acquired.
Sept 2010 Designs and layout approved.
March 2011 Infrastructure installed.
August 2011 Planning approvals obtained.
Sept 2011 UK Project launch.
Feb 2012 Official Croatian launch.
March 2012 Land plots on sale.
Welcome to our website, we hope you enjoy your visit
CONCEPT
The Sapling Project (Saprocro) involves the re-creation of a traditional Croatian village, a small “Eco-Hamlet” of just eleven restored properties, built using reclaimed and sustainable materials wherever possible, in combination with renewable energy technologies. Other than a desire to live in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way there are no rules; we have simply created a space in which a community can grow itself.
Through our specialised partners EU funding is available towards certain building costs and renewable energy systems which can be as high as 50% in some cases. Contact keith_inlandcroatia.com for more information about these programmes.
Renewable Energy (RE) technologies such as photovoltaics and wind power for generating electricity, solar water heating for showers, sinks and under-floor space heating, ground and air source heat pumps, pellet fed boiler systems are all available options and many have already been integrated into some designs as standard.
Water management and conservation is another priority issue along with all aspects of waste management, disposal and recycling. Social considerations and quality of life issues have been clearly identified and catered for both during and after the project lifecycle along with biodiversity, ecological and environmental impact matters.
The Sapling Project will be monitored by our research partners for up to five years, providing valuable data and an opportunity for genuine comparison and competition between several suppliers and differing technologies. Many companies say they are the best in their field, well we will prove who really is. Our ultimate target is to build properties which cost little if anything to heat and power each year and perhaps even generating a small income through grid connection (FIT) buy back schemes. Eventually we aim to establish the viability of genuine “off-grid” living within a modern society, helping eliminate fuel poverty through the use of renewable energy technologies in combination with alternative fuel and other energy efficiency measures.
The project will work towards the creation of recognised training courses in both traditional building skills and renewable energy systems, educating today the next generation of teachers and experts for the future. A somewhat longer term goal surrounds the issue of straw bale construction, a well understood and accepted concept throughout most of Western Europe, but as yet not an approved building method in Croatia and something we aim to change. Through research, education and marketing we hope to integrate straw bale construction into main stream Croatian building codes and regulations by 2020.
The Sapling project will showcase and explore various opportunities for community sustainability and rural economic development such as diversification into rural/green tourism, as well as creating long term employment opportunities in both the traditional building trades and RE technology industries. It will help promote greater awareness and interest in environmental and RE issues within the general public, business communities and media. The Project aims to have a positive impact on the local community and leave a natural and protected environment behind.
Together we can build for a better future.
BUILDING PLOTS €15,000
Straw
While a well tested and proven technology in many parts of the world, Croatia has yet to experience and understand the wonderful building material of straw.
Buildings made from straw bales have many advantages over other materials especially in today’s economic climate. In practical terms they are easy and cheap to obtain, have excellent insulation properties and are easy to work with for people with limited experience. In aesthetic terms straw bale homes are a true delight to live in with tactile wall surfaces, curved window apertures and healthy “breathable” interiors providing excellent levels of comfort. We firmly believe that the time for straw bale construction methods to enter mainstream building practice is now here.
Being a predominately agricultural based country, Croatia has access to the raw material in large quantity very easily and inexpensively, currently it is viewed mainly as a waste product. As part of our research programme we will aim to produce test data for presentation to the relevant Croatian authorities and eventually hope to bring the material within mainstream building code.
With no previous experience of straw bale in Croatia, there is obviously a need to create specialised training and certification courses in conjunction with recognised faculties. As the system becomes more widespread and established, valuable employment opportunities will be created especially in rural areas.
Information and education programmes will also be arranged at regular intervals to explain the opportunities to both potential suppliers and end users of the advantages of using straw bale as a building product, again helping to develop a potentially valuable economic resource for rural communities.
Brick
Reclaimed, hand made clay bricks are a wonderful material both to look at and to work with and are widely available throughout Croatia very easily and inexpensively.
Building constructed using brick provide a level of strength and durability which is preferred by many people and with its unique variations of colour and shade, offers a beauty unlike any other material.
Handmade clay bricks have been used in the construction of homes in Croatia for generations and they can still be obtained without problem in almost all areas. When used in combination with modern insulation techniques and products, the essential properties of solid brickwork can be enhanced and will out perform their modern counterparts in many cases.
The practical advantages of the high thermal mass provided within solid brickwork structures are well proven, with their ability to retain heat and comfort levels in colder months while offering excellent cooling properties during warmer periods.
Their widespread use means they already form part of the Croatian building codes and are a well understood and accepted material to local regulatory bodies and planning authorities.
Unfortunately the skill of traditional brick laying is yet another trade which is quickly dying out, so teaching of the technique is of paramount importance before it is too late and the ability is lost forever. In conjunction with recognised faculties new training modules will be established to train the next generation of Croatian craftsmen and women in the use of this traditional material.
Old Oak
Building homes using solid oak is a well known and tested method in numerous parts of Croatia thanks in part to its large areas of forest, but is a style which has become less and less used over time mainly due to cost and sustainability issues of the material.
While buildings made from “green” oak are still possible, Croatia also has a large number of old oak properties, some over 200 years old, which are in good condition and ideal for restoration. As well as old farmhouses and cottages, there are plenty of seasoned oak barns and other agricultural buildings available so sourcing replacement oak beams, planks, infill panels and posts is a relatively easy and inexpensive process at the moment.
Oak buildings can be successfully combined with many combinations of new or reclaimed roofing materials and styles and adapted very easily to accommodate almost any internal layout design. When combined with modern insulation and improved construction techniques, solid oak buildings not only look wonderful but perform extremely well in all climatic conditions and the healthy environment provided inside a breathable home should not be underestimated. There is something wonderfully tactile about solid wood that touches each and every one of us.
While not necessarily a dying trade in Croatia, finding experienced carpenters prepared to work with seasoned oak is sometimes difficult as they often prefer to work with easier, soft wood materials. Specialist carpentry courses are widely available at several faculties in Croatia, so tailoring these to revive interest in working with seasoned oak is our main aim.
Render
The traditional style of rendering oak framed cottages and farmhouses in Croatia has been enjoyed and understood for many generations.
When combined with the advantages of modern building techniques and products, these usually drafty and damp buildings can now be successfully adapted to provide all of the comforts associated with modern day living.
While white lime render is the traditional colour, any number of combinations can be applied using toxin free, breathable paints and render finishes to suit an owners taste and style, while the patchwork effect created by the exposed beams and framework only adds to the delightful appearance of these traditional buildings.
Suitable for almost all roofing materials and internal design styles these buildings are easily and cheaply available in most regions of Croatia.
This style of building employs not one building technique but several, requiring the skills of oak frame carpentery, bricklaying and traditional rendering, in order to successfully complete a project.
New Timber Buildings
We could not really undertake this project without catering to the demand for more modern contemporary building designs, especially those made from new sustainable timber. Many people are looking for a statement home, something that captures their ambitions and modern lifestyle and which encompasses their view of the future. and new timber buildings can accommodate this demand.
Using sustainable timber, contemporary even futuristic building designs can be produced, thanks to computer controlled milling techniques and advanced CAD design. Both traditional round log and square beam options are readily available in Croatia from suppliers who each provide a bespoke service of design, manufacture and construction. For the Sapling project we are delighted to have Marenic d.o.o. as our partners on the project.
Speed of assembly is a major advantage when working with this type of material, often enabling a building shell to be erected and made water tight in just a few days for a small building and less than 2 weeks for more intricate schemes.
The ability to design a new home completely from scratch without the restraints of adapting an existing structure, is a very attractive proposition for many people and being involved in the design and creative aspects can also be very rewarding. Superior internal layout options and longer term adaptability are primary concerns for many people, while minimal maintenance and running costs are key concerns for others, just a few of the reasons why so many people prefer a more modern style of home made from new timber.
Being able to personally specify a completely new building has many advantages over restoration of an older property, larger areas of glass for windows and doors being one immediately obvious factor and higher ceilings being another.
Thanks to computer aided design technology it is now possible to design and specify modern contemporary structures very easily and inexpensively, sometimes within a few hours, with the exact information being electronically transferred directly to the factory for manufacture immediately.
Power
Alternate sources of power generation are now widely available and becoming more mainstream every day and while solar is currently the leading contender for the title, the Sapling project aims to experiment with ground and air source heat pumps, wind and bio-mass fuel systems.
The demand for renewable power and heating systems is predicted to grow for many decades to come, Saprocro aims to provide practical and accurate information and understanding on the numerous options available to both businesses and domestic consumers alike.
As fossil fuel resources dwindle, the cost of production and therefore consumer prices will inevitably rise. At the same time the installation of renewable systems will become more acceptable in mainstream construction and the costs of such systems will reduce substantially allowing economical access to the market for all.
Through rigorous monitoring and evaluation by both the individual system manufacturers and recognised universities, a comprehensive testing programme will provide a valuable source of information for both companies and end users. Through constant live feed analysis, each property will be monitored throughout the research period, both during vacant and occupied lifecycles of the buildings.
A new training programme leading to a recognised installer qualification will be provided through recognised building and construction faculties. Covering aspects such as system design, sales and installation and servicing, the next generation of energy specialists will be created.
Buildings themselves require a huge amount of energy, both in the manufacturing process and during the construction phase, so a priority of the Sapling project will be to minimise this wherever possible
Water
Clean water is one of the most important natural substances affecting all life on our planet, so its extraction and safe disposal are of vital importance.
The simple act of turning on a tap to otain fresh clean water is something most of us take for granted, unlike many parts of the world where it is still regarded as a privilege and a life saving resource.
The Sapling Project will make use of both traditional deep well and modern borehole systems to provide fresh drinking water coupled to reverse osmosis filtration systems.
Separate rainwater harvesting systems have been integrated into the scheme for supplying water suitable for washing and irrigation purposes, while low usage taps and A rated wet appliances will be a standard feature of the development.
Safe disposal of grey and brown water waste has been carefully designed using both biological septic tank modules and reed bed filtration ponds which help to create a natural wetland habitat and sanctuary for many species.
The site for the first Sapling project has been chosen in part due to its elevation above both sea and local river levels, ensuring against any possible rise of either in the future.
Materials & labour
Close consideration has been given to all materials required on The Sapling Project which aims to maximise the use of reclaimed products and with everything being being sourced within a 50km radius of the site wherever possible.
We aim to achieve in excess of 50% use of reclaimed or recycled materials on the project without compromising quality, safety or durability. The main materials chosen for the project are those which can be easily replicated throughout Croatia and which maintain local traditions and building styles. Once completed, we hope that the development itself and individually each property will become an integral part of the local community, forming a seamless model between old and new.
The majority of our partners and contractors on the project have been chosen with preference given to their locations rather than on pricing structure alone. In fact many of the products specified on the project could be sourced from thousands of miles away much less expensively in monetary terms, but at a huge environmental cost.
Waste management is another important consideration and strict controls will be imposed on the reuse or safe disposal of any that is produced, even the timber off cuts will eventually go into the biomass furnace.
Nature
Reducing the impact of The Sapling Project on the local environment is a vital consideration and every effort will be made not just to keep this to an absolute minimum, but also to ensure that we leave a positive legacy behind.
Some two hundred indigenous fruit trees are currently being cultivated for use on both the pilot and future projects which include apple, pear, cherry, plum and peach, while walnut and oak trees will be bought in to provide visual structure and offer shading over time.
Boundaries between properties will be designated by evergreen hedges and berry yielding bushes forming natural fencing and helping to create new habitats for numerous species and nesting for birds, while reed lined ponds will provide a valuable water source for many more.
Creating a healthy living environment is a key factor in any sustainable building project and something we hope to address in more detail and evaluate as the development matures.
Central to the site will be a community recycling point with disabled and child height access levels; make recycling fun and it will become a pleasure for life rather than a daily chore.
On future developments our aim is for each property to have its own allotment for growing vegetables, as well as providing individual composting bins.
As in any organisation, its people are an essential asset and the Sapling project is no different. Our project is now looking to build a team with the dedication and expertise it will need to succeed. Applications are welcome from experienced individuals and companies for all positions.
Project manager.
To be appointed
Architect.
To be appointed.
Site manager.
Surveyor.
GEA. vl. Nikola Vuketić.
Office manager
GEM Grubercic (Engineers)
Making sure everything works as it should
Rana d.o.o. (Accountants)
Looking after the pennies
Renewable energy consultants.
Ivana Moravec (Lawyer)
Keeping us legal
EU Funding Consultants.
We welcome comments, ideas and proposals from individuals, companies and governing bodies that can help our project succeed. Contact keith_inlandcroatia.com with your thoughts.
We welcome interest and inovative ideas.
Trg Petra Zrinskog 1
10340 Vrbovec
Hrvatska
Croatia
Email;
keith_inlandcroatia.com
