Whether the driver is global warning or a desire to reduce energy costs, the focus on sustainable, efficient buildings is growing. The UK government has recently upgraded the Code for Sustainable Homes in a bid to reduce CO2 emissions and plans further changes over the next few years.
Architects obviously need to understand the implications of such fast evolving regulations. But, as private individuals and corporate organisations increasingly opting to pay more for buildings that offer even greater energy efficiency, there are opportunities to go far beyond the basic regulatory requirements to build reputation and gain competitive advantage.
However, maintaining that reputation will demand upon the quality of the end build. Underpinning this evolution in design must be a centralised source of searchable information - a true knowledge management environment. This will ensure up to date plans are in use and amendments to regulations read and understood, enabling best practice to be imposed. Furthermore, it will provide a critical forum for collaboration and knowledge sharing that will ensure fast dissemination of relevant information on new materials and global experiences to support innovative sustainable design.
Emission control
For the past decade, transport has consistently dominated the headlines on climate change emissions. In fact, in the UK buildings contribute around half of all CO2 - 30% from homes and 20% from commercial buildings.
And it is in recognition of this fact that the government has recently sought to improve the quality and reduce environmental impact on all new buildings. Indeed, the chancellor Gordon Brown stated in the 2006 budget that he wanted the UK's homes and businesses to be the 'most energy efficient in the world'.
There is some way to go before such a goal could possibly be achieved. But the introduction of the Part L amendments to the building regulations in April 2006 addresses the energy efficiency of new buildings - with the goal of improving that efficiency by 40 per cent compared to 2002. Yet while the new regulations may seem a great idea - especially since they bring the UK in line with European Union standards - those tasked with compliance have not universally welcomed the change.
Indeed, as the building boom continues and organisations face a continued reliance upon contractors to manage demand, just how easy is it to ensure compliance to ever increasing regulations? Indeed, a number of new home builders have recently found themselves named and shamed for shoddy workmanship and questionable adherence to existing building regulations for heating and sound insulation.
Just how joined up are the processes for inspecting and managing quality, ensuring problems are not repeated again and again due to poor processes or a lack of understanding about the new regulations?
Green credentials
Architects obviously have an important role to play in ensuring best practice throughout the design and build process. Indeed, as the government gets tougher on monitoring compliance and undertaking environmental impact assessments, failure to ensure detailed specifications and up to date drawings are followed could undermine corporate reputation.
Yet for those involved in the design and creation of buildings, the strengthening of the Code for Sustainable Homes is not the only issue. While some organisations may focus simply on reaching the new levels of compliance, the growing environmental awareness is providing new opportunities for competitive differentiation.
Many organisations and individuals are actively embracing sustainable builds, and are prepared to pay over the odds for innovative solutions that achieve a significant reduction in emissions and energy requirements.
The challenge is pulling together a mass of information from many different organisations, from mechanical engineers to glass manufacturers, each with their own take on sustainability. With increasing investment into new, sustainable and recycled materials there is a constant flow of information to influence environmentally focused design. The challenge is pulling such resources together to create one, sustainable, workable build.
Knowledge sharing
Organisations that can create a strong knowledge management environment have a real opportunity to be at the vanguard of the evolution in sustainable building. Transferring knowledge and experiences between offices across the world and creating a strong community of interest will provide confidence to use newer materials and techniques designed to reduce emissions and boost environmental ratings.
Even the simple provision of a centralised, searchable library of information - such as articles on new regulations or case studies on a new material - can be invaluable, ensuring everyone interested in the subject has access to the most up to date, relevant sources.
Furthermore, a constructional steelwork contractor uses an Enterprise Portal to enable externally employed graduate engineers to logon on and browse their knowledge and document stores for details of the very latest in connection details for steel frame buildings. This forges deep links between the two organisations and has led to a greater degree of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Sustainability is a primary concern for every new development - even if the goal is to achieve only basic compliance. If organisations are to operate effectively and maximise developments in sustainable building, they need to harness information via global collaboration and e-learning.
But even the most energy efficient design can be compromised by poor on site control and process. By creating a knowledge management infrastructure, organisations can finally impose control over the process; ensuring up to date drawings and information are being used on site to guarantee promised levels of energy efficiency are delivered.
