KINGS LANGLEY, HERTFORDSHIRE, UK, June 18, 2008.
A review published by the UK Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) says most architects and developers do not “get” sustainable building, accusing them of focusing on “superficial green gadgets”.
Reviewing over 700 large construction projects over the last two years, CABE concluded that less than 10 projects made sustainability a priority.
According to Matt Bell, Director of Campaigns and Education at CABE, the most common problems are that buildings are located where access to public transport is difficult; that there is a failure to make best use of heating, cooling and light provided by the sun and prevailing breezes; and that too few projects are powered by district energy generators which produce power, heating and cooling for several buildings (and are more efficient than wind turbines or solar panels on individual buildings).
“Achieving a very green building adds about 30% to the cost, but there is not a lot of evidence that providing one generates higher rent. Unless there is proof, there is a feeling of ‘why should a developer do this’,” says Bell.
Inbuilt, a UK sustainability design consultant, welcomed CABE’s report, but says greater transparency of information about the projects is needed so that data can be shared. Dr David Strong, CEO of Inbuilt, says he is not surprised that developers reach for the seemingly easier option, but is cautious to put it down to ‘not caring’.
“Our own research has revealed the same issue, not just among commercial property developers but also among housebuilders who are unsure about what route to take to meet the regulations in 2010 and 2013, let alone the big target of zero carbon by 2016. In fact, when we asked leading housebuilders about their ability to deliver zero carbon homes, their discomfort was palpable, expressed in warnings about the unrecoverable costs, the lack of reliable technologies, supply chain, skills or expertise, and the trouble accessing renewable energy sources.”
Strong says there is a need for more published best practice and a new type of professional, unbiased advice that fully integrates master planning and design skills at the earliest stages of their projects. “Designers and developers have been thrown a green gauntlet by Government, and many are struggling to balance all the complex and inter-related factors that are involved in sustainability,” says Strong.
According to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), British homes contribute 27%, and non-domestic buildings contribute 18% of the country’s CO2 emissions.
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