Building for the future
Given that the energy performance of older buildings is already challenging, Helen Cutts of UCLan spoke about reducing the number of unknowns around alternatives to gas. “There are still so many unknowns, which is absolutely crazy, because the technology isn’t new. We’re talking about heat pumps – they have been around for a long time.
There’s a fear that the buildings won't perform in extreme temperatures in the future. And there’s a desire to have gas backup, but we're not going to be selling gas boilers from 2035. So that’s not a long-term solution. It’s a generational thing – but low carbon is probably a scale of challenge none of us have seen before. It’s a daunting prospect but I think universities are stepping up to the plate.”
Simon Arnott agreed that the need for innovation was paramount, and all businesses in the sector have a role to play in bringing forward ideas that can help futureproof buildings. He cited Morgan Sindall’s CarboniCa tool, a means of understanding the embodied carbon within the existing building and looking at the operational carbon in life of the new building.
“We worked on its development for a few years. For a while were we essentially asking for favours to use in practice. That started to change about two years ago when clients began asking us for access. We’ve seen a real growth in demand for that kind of insight and that support, which is a positive.”
Pictured: Innovation in action at Houlton School, turning a Radio Station into a much needed secondary school.
“It comes back to the opening question - is this generation of architects, developers, contractors, engineers, and consultants up to the job? Is it our responsibility?” asked Maja Nesdale of Arcadis IBI. “The answer is, yes, but we also must look at the education of the people coming up through the industry. I was very pleased to see that Manchester School of Architecture, which is one of the best schools in the world, now has an MA Architecture and Adaptive Reuse. It’s part time so architects in practice can participate.”
Dan Hyde of NOMA echoed the point. “I also think the sentiment for responsible property development and investment is real and it’s growing…but there’s a need to keep pushing the boundaries.”
