BedZED

BedZED (Beddington Zero Energy Development) is a pioneering eco-community located on a brownfield site on Beddington Lane, in the London Borough of Sutton, England. Completed in 2002–2003, it is often described as the United Kingdom's first large-scale, mixed-use, zero-energy development, designed to explore sustainable living at a community scale.

The project was designed by Bill Dunster Architects and developed by the BioRegional Development Group with local partners. The plan includes around 100 homes and a small workspace/community facility arranged around pedestrian-friendly courtyards and a network of footpaths. Buildings use a combination of thick insulation, airtight construction, passive solar orientation, natural daylighting, and high-efficiency systems.

BedZED incorporates on-site energy generation and a district energy network supplying heating and hot water to homes. It also features solar PV on some buildings, low-energy appliances, rainwater harvesting, and water-efficient fittings to reduce household demand.

The development minimizes car use with limited parking, on-site bicycle storage, and proximity to public transport; it promotes walking, cycling, and car-sharing through a community scheme.

BedZED has been described as a leading model for sustainable urban design and has influenced subsequent eco-developments in the UK and abroad. It has won several awards and has been the subject of ongoing research into the long-term performance and retrofit of high-performance housing.