44 BUILDING FABRIC


be objectively measured and incorporated into design specifi cations. Across the rish ea, the ousing erformance nde , championed by the rish reen Building ouncil B, eemplifi es this holistic approach.


ADDRESSING OVERHEATING CONCERNS verheating has become a pressing issue as buildings become more airtight. art  of the Approved ocuments seeks to address this but has had unintended consequences – reducing daylight access due to the simplifi ed calculation method, which limits maimum window areas. any house builders report diffi culties complying. The government is currently reviewing


art , offering an opportunity to incorporate strategies such as eterior shading – common in mainland Europe – and stack-effect ventilation, which leverages upward airfl ow to cool buildings. Additionally, incorporating daylighting requirements would ensure that overheating mitigation measures do not compromise natural lighting.


impact and encourage manufacturers to reduce embodied carbon. The proposed art  campaign, which aims to legislate embodied carbon considerations, warrants serious attention from policymakers.


STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE Buildings are systems, not ust collections of components. olistic design is essential. hile building regulations Approved ocuments have improved, some remain disconnected due to siloed regulatory writing. or eample, the uture omes tandard considers only a fraction of the  eisting Approved ocuments.


PART Z? THE CALL FOR LEGISLATING EMBODIED CARBON


onstruction accounts for around  of global carbon emissions, with about  stemming from the manufacture, construction, and disposal of buildings rather than operational energy use. mproving energy effi ciency has an environmental cost due to material choices. hile necessary, we must also acknowledge the true environmental


As the uture omes tandard progresses, we must advocate for a balanced approach. aylighting, ventilation, shading, and embodied carbon must be integrated alongside energy effi ciency measures to ensure that new homes are sustainable, comfortable, and environmentally responsible.


Neil Freshwater is public aff airs manager at VELUX Great Britain & Ireland


DESPITE ITS BENEFITS, DAYLIGHTING REMAINS OVERLOOKED IN UK BUILDING REGULATIONS.


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