RevisingPerspective for Resi 23 Conference

RevisingPerspective for Resi 23 Conference

Get ready to dive into an enlightening conversation as we discuss the ongoing quest to tackle the housing crisis in the UK, pondering on the challenges posed by low-cost carbon housing development and seeking promising solutions that promote affordability, energy efficiency, and community well-being.

The ever-changing landscape of housing ministers in England emphasizes the necessity of constructing a staggering 345,000 new homes annually and achieving energy efficiency for existing housing stock. But what hinders the large-scale delivery of low-cost, eco-friendly residences? And how do we guarantee that new developments remain economical, forward-thinking, and nurturing communities?

These burning questions and more were tackled in an insightful AT webinar, sponsored by Knauf Insulation and SIG Design & Technology. Moderated by AT Editor Isabel Allen, the panel of experts included Matthew Morgan, Director of the Quality of Life Foundation; Miles Attenborough, Director of Sustainable Development Group AECOM; Gerard Ferris, Category Manager at SIG Design & Technology; Kath Scanlon, Distinguished Policy Fellow at LSE; Matthew Prowse, UK Director of Knauf Insulation; and Ben Derbyshire, Chair at HTA and RIBA Past President.

Miles Attenborough shed light on findings from a five-year research project, highlighting factors that negatively impacted energy efficiency in low-cost carbon homes, such as excessive thermal bridges, insufficient airtightness, imprecise early design coordination – particularly for mechanical and electrical services, including Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR).

On a positive note, the research cautiously presented that simpler projects have provided improved environmental performance at a cost uplift of 1-2.5 percent, making it feasible for developers to absorb this increase without burdening homebuyers. However, more complex schemes necessitate a cost uplift of 10-20 percent, usually covered by grants, emphasizing the importance of focusing on straightforward buildings that are easy to construct and maintain.

Kath Scanlon brought forward her research on wellbeing within residential towers, particularly in London. Challenges included storage shortages, limited play spaces, and management regime responsiveness and accountability. Scanlon underlined the need for further government-funded research on user wellbeing, affordable living costs for leaseholders, and building high-rise schemes with reduced lifetime costs and carbon footprint.

Gerard Ferris showcased an array of projects illustrating the ecological credentials, adaptability, and provenance of natural slate. Natural slate offers significant environmental advantages, as it requires minimal processing with low embodied carbon emissions compared to other roofing materials. Ferris highlighted that a 100-square-meter slate roof impacts the environment almost three times less than a fiber cement roof, making natural slate an eco-friendly choice.

Matthew Morgan presented the Quality of Life Foundation's work to prioritize health and well-being in housing and community designs, with a focus on inclusive community consultation. Using Harlow & Gilston Garden Town as a case study, Morgan demonstrated how their inclusive engagement toolkit can help foster an accessible and open community consultation process.

Matthew Prowse offered pragmatic recommendations to future-proof residential specifications in a financially viable manner. Firstly, he advised designers to consider the impending Future Homes Standard in 2025, making decisions that support this change. Second, Prowse emphasized the importance of specifying materials that enhance buildability, such as wider cavities for optimal insulation and retrofitting capabilities.

Finally, Ben Derbyshire shared HTA's experience in implementing the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, with notable hurdles like a lack of ambition among residential clients and a paucity of widely available standard methodologies for measuring progress, particularly in regard to social value. Despite these challenges, HTA has collaborated with three other housing specialists to share knowledge, develop methodologies, maintain a united approach with clients, and execute post-occupancy evaluation for mutual projects.

By overcoming the challenges discussed and adopting innovative strategies, new developments can continue to be affordable, energy-efficient, and designed with community well-being in mind, paving the way for the UK's net-zero future.

1. The panel of experts in the AT webinar discussed the need for substantial government-funded research on user wellbeing and building high-rise schemes with reduced lifetime costs and carbon footprint.
2. Gerard Ferris showcased the ecological advantages of natural slate, as it requires minimal processing and has lower embodied carbon emissions compared to other roofing materials.
3. Matthew Morgan presented the Quality of Life Foundation's work, focusing on health and well-being in housing and community designs, and emphasizing the importance of inclusive community consultation.
4. Matthew Prowse offered practical advice to future-proof residential specifications by considering the Future Homes Standard in 2025 and specifying materials that enhance buildability.
5. Miles Attenborough highlighted factors that negatively impacted energy efficiency in low-cost carbon homes, such as excessive thermal bridges and imprecise early design coordination.
6. In the pursuit of tackling the housing crisis in the UK, the panel also recommended focusing on straightforward buildings that are easy to construct and maintain to keep new developments economical and eco-friendly.

Read also: