The Yellow House
Motivational research has consistently found that two of the key motivators for personal change are providing simple practical actions that people can take, and leading by example.
We believe that people are prepared to imitate what friends, colleagues and neighbours are doing. Few go it alone unless they have peer-support or a good example to follow. Many of COIN's activities aim to illustrate what is possible by example.
The Yellow House Website and CD-ROM
The Yellow House is a 1930’s terraced house that has been renovated to reduce its electricity, gas and water consumption by two thirds. COIN saw the project as a powerful example of the simple changes that can be made to achieve a low carbon society.
COIN raised funding from the Millennium Grants to produce an interactive website and CD ROM of the house. The website www.theyellowhouse.org.uk includes a virtual tour of the house, essays on key themes of low energy design, and a directory of contacts. It has received over 60,000 hits. The CD-ROM which can be ordered through COIN, also contains six short videos and a photo gallery. Updating the website and promoting and distributing the CD-ROM are ongoing activities for COIN
Download PDF version of this pagePraise for the Yellow House website and CD from experts and users
"The website certainly exemplifies all that can be done with an existing property and has some excellent guidance." – Professor Peter Smith, Vice President for Sustainable Development, Royal Institute of British Architects.
"I honestly think your site is the best green DIY site I have come across. Well Done! I particularly liked the complete and honest explanations of what you had done, why and how you had done it. The reasoning is very sound and has spurred me back into action." – Neil Kermode
"I love the site, sometimes I feel as if we are the only people living in the same considerate way as you but when I feel like this I take a look at your site again!" – Katie Taylor
"Thanks for making available such high quality information and in such an appealing and digestible form." – Nick Davies
"Thank you for putting together your brilliant web-site about the yellow house. I am just so happy to see a load of information about something which our family are trying to do thanks again for putting so much time and trouble into sharing your experiences." – Hazel Garlick
"Congratulations on your site. Anyone considering setting out on the journey to reduced energy consumption should visit it and benefit from your hard work and commitment. A heartfelt thank you." – Niall Connolly