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Time to define what Sustainability really means
by Mike Leonard, CEO, Modern Masonry Alliance
Walls
Much continues to be said and written about Sustainability, but few commentators take account of the whole life picture. ‘Sustainable Communities’ must of course feature access to good quality homes of all tenures that will last generations, good schools, healthcare, community facilities and very importantly work.
True sustainability is all about joined up thinking. It is unlikely to be achieved, for instance if we ignore our natural resources and manufacturing capability and instead choose to substitute sustainable solutions produced in the UK with important products. The result will be the breakdown of our ability to generate wealth, mass unemployment and an over reliance on other countries to supply the goods we need to survive and prosper. The risk is evidenced by the current energy security crisis caused by the fact that we now have to import the majority of our gas and oil.
In the dash to win the ‘Sustainability’ race many mistakes have occurred and we may soon begin to see the unintended consequences of failing to fully understand the long term performance, maintenance costs and longevity of too many of the interventions we have sponsored. Windmills and PV, for instance, may not prove to be the panacea and making our buildings too airtight may result in summer overheating and poor indoor air quality. The lessons are clear, we must now focus on proven technology and the fabric of the building to ensure we provide future generations with a built environment that is truly sustainable.
Produced in the UK using responsibly sourced materials, brick and block construction is the most economic sustainable way to build homes and other buildings that will last at least 150 years. Locally produced and available off the shelf, brick and block offers a 15% cost saving over imported timber frame systems, with a reduced carbon impact and a complete and transparent chain of custody.
An overwhelming 93% of homeowners, who took part in a recent survey, said they would prefer to live in a brick and block home. This is a reflection of the widely held belief that masonry construction is safe, proven and flexible, and offers a cost effective and sustainable built environment designed to last generations.
Early concerns about whether specifiers and builders could continue to use tried and tested masonry construction were soon overcome as masonry emerged as the most cost effective way of meeting the very highest standards in energy performance. Furthermore, the Thermal Mass that masonry construction offers over alternative solutions is now considered vital as we design to ensure buildings perform in a warming climate.
Flexible Non-Combustible Masonry construction allows the specifier to design buildings of all sizes that will provide safe versatile environments that are cost effective, safe for occupiers, with low on-going maintenance and fully adaptable to meet changing needs over the minimum 150 year life we can confidently expect from a masonry construction.
Whilst often described as traditional construction Masonry is at the forefront of innovation with great new products such as Thin-Joint aerated concrete blocks, Porotherm Clay blocks and large format building and brick cladding systems. Specifiers have the opportunity to try new things to drive speed of construction, enhanced levels of air-tightness or to use cladding systems to dress products in brick which is now the number one choice for designers to create individuality, beauty and low maintenance solutions.
There has never been a more important time to specify British Made Products and provide employment for manufacturers, merchants and builders, helping to grow the UK economy whilst building more for less. All specifiers are invited to visit
www.masonryfirst.com for more information. To discuss a specific project please email Mike Leonard
mikeleonard@modernmasonry.co.uk or call him on 07778 842831
www.masonryfirst.com Reader Enquiry: 29 07778 842831 15
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