Environmental Challenges? Housing & skills crisis? We have a blended solution for the new PM.

In challenging environmental times, we provide up to date advice and design guidance to tackle ‘head-on’ regulation compliance for housing that will be fit for the future.

Stuart Gilbert (Architectural Director) explores;

On the day Boris Johnson was appointed PM, one would assume that the housing crisis and climate change must be high on the agenda, and these challenges, in many ways may well intersect with each other with the implementation of environmental policies including the ‘Future Homes Standard’ to be introduced in 2025.

As pressure continues to grow to deliver fast affordable new homes on a massive scale, carbon reduction targets will need to be met, fossil fuels heating systems will be phased out and greater focus on pre-fabrication, including low carbon materials and construction will be expected.

As designers we have a responsibility to make clients aware of the options available in achieving these goals, and there are several routes to compliance with the building regulations. We are currently exploring these options working closely with our clients to be ahead of the game in being able to demonstrate cost-effective solutions using products and technology already in the marketplace.

With our in-house team of building services engineers and architects we can analyse fabric and environmental design efficiencies together with building services options, including low carbon/ renewable technologies with a view to meeting the regulations using SAP. Being able to offer a combined and belnded design approach from an early stage clearly adds greater value to our clients, and we are working with market leaders to capture now the requirements of SAP 10 which is expected to be introduced next year.

We have long been working with internationally leading modular providers on the delivery of truly cost-effective systems that are manufactured entirely in the UK, off-site in factory-controlled conditions which guarantees a better quality of build, consistency of build and fewer defects. The system is thermally efficient, allows for increased air tightness, meets space standards and is accredited and ready to roll out over the UK.

These capabilities and experiences with a range of technologies put us in a good position to advise all groups of clients on meeting current and future compliance.