NEWS 19 ROUND TABLE
Government needs to choose between net zero homes and housing targets
T
he Government must fi nd a clear strategy on whether to prioritise net zero homes or concentrate on meeting its targets for housing numbers, as meeting both will be a major challenge for the industry. This was one of the key takeaways of a recent round table staged by Polypipe Building Products on tackling net zero homes, which featured senior decision makers from architectural practices, housebuilders, developers, and housing associations. Chris Smith, head of new build at Polypipe Building Products, told the round table panel that attempting to meet both targets would be challenging: “A single, clear, priority must be established in the immediate future of housebuilding – achieving net zero or meeting housing targets. Meeting the two together in the next fi ve years will be diffi cult.”
The event was chaired by James Parker, managing editor of
Architects’ Datafi le, and followed the construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data showing that residential construction has fallen at its fastest pace in nearly fi ve years. Despite the concerns expressed, the group looked at how the industry could attempt to meet the two priorities in tandem, including in retrofi t contexts, and concluded that there was need for early engagement between manufacturers and designers. The panel also discussed how Building Regulations must avoid being restrictive, force the price of construction up or designers to opt for safer and less innovative home confi gurations. “Strong regulation is positive but it’s important it doesn’t hinder the creation of new homes.” said Louise Scanell, design director at WW+P Architects. She admitted that making schemes operationally successful can mean “lots of embodied carbon. It’s important that we strike the right balance between the two.” “Operational performance should be at the heart of new development,” commented Kate Watson, sustainable communities team principal consultant at Turner & Townsend. The group also discussed how natural materials should be a higher priority, and gave the example of Southwark Council’s ban on timber framed homes leading to a reliance on concrete. Kate Watson also discussed the possibility of using more regionally sourced natural materials such as miscanthus and straw.
Modern methods of manufacturing and construction could mean such materials have more means of entering the supply chain. But the event chair, James Parker, asked whether the industry would innovate in MMC at scale alone, or whether it would require
ADF APRIL 2025
outside stimulus. Kerry Heath, development and sales director at housing association Hexagon Housing, told the panel that the Government needs to incentivise the market otherwise change will not happen at the pace it needs to.” David de Sousa, director at AHR Architects said that industry would be unlikely to innovate if not stimulated to: “Building regulations must evolve to drive change, the industry has its own commercial objectives.”
The group looked at how architects and developers could use carbon assessment tools early in the design process, to identify opportunities to minimise embodied carbon and select materials. Michela Ravaglia, Sustainability Business Partner at Wates, said the Tier 1 contractor is working closely with supply chain partners, “supporting them to start their Science Based Target journey.” Danielle Michalska-Morris, group technical innovation manager at Barratt Redrow said that changes to regulations had to involve industry to avoid clashes between imperatives such as air-tightness and overheating. “We have to carefully consider how all the different parts of the Building Regulations work together, so that a change in one area doesn’t create unintended consequences in another.”
The round table found that while a fabric fi rst approach was essential for ensuring homes are futureproofed, doing upgrades without correct installation practices will prove counterproductive and lead to distrust among consumers. Such focus on adequate installation was needed before the successful rollout of technologies like NVHR (Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling) systems and air source heat pumps could be achieved.
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
