Budget 2020 and housing
“The budget included a tree-planting programme, a tax on plastic use and investment in electric car chargers – but these seem pretty cosmetic in the… Read More »Budget 2020 and housing
The New Stone Age: ancient material: tiny carbon footprint
It’s cheaper and greener to use stone – as opposed to concrete or steel . Concrete is used everywhere – and its production creates a… Read More »The New Stone Age: ancient material: tiny carbon footprint
How architecture shapes society
“We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us,” said Winston Churchill… . … He was right; our surroundings can make us healthier and… Read More »How architecture shapes society
What is a ‘net-zero carbon’ building?
A new Exeter Science Park building is to be “net zero carbon for operational energy”. But where are the projects which are cutting the use… Read More »What is a ‘net-zero carbon’ building?
Urban design and climate change
Powerful projects to reshape our built environment . Planners, builders and architects have a huge impact on how we live: Architecture and climate change .… Read More »Urban design and climate change
Powering housing with clean energy
It’s about being more energy-efficient, cheaper to run and producing fewer CO2 emissions The news from Wales: . Climate Change: Clean energy to power… Read More »Powering housing with clean energy
Building Better Building Beautiful
The beauty commission’s report is full of welcome ideas: now we need to act on them . Is ‘beauty’ a rather old-fashioned notion? On the… Read More »Building Better Building Beautiful
New advances in timber construction
The growing importance of trees, woodlands and timber . Woodlands serve many purposes – including providing all sorts of habitats: Species shift: climate change and… Read More »New advances in timber construction
Social housing around the world
The District Council wants to push for more social housing: “More social housing for the residents of the district to be provided.” Affordable housing in… Read More »Social housing around the world
Sustainable development: what if new buildings had to be resused or built with materials already available?
The CEO at the District Council thinks that by going ‘carbon neutral’ by 2025, “you will be refusing all planning permissions”: Unsustainable over-development in East… Read More »Sustainable development: what if new buildings had to be resused or built with materials already available?
Resilient responses to reverse the effects of urban flooding
The Neighbourhood Plan is made: Sidmouth (made) … together with the excellent Place Analysis which goes deeper into the layout and design of the Valley’s… Read More »Resilient responses to reverse the effects of urban flooding
Adapting buildings to climate change
“80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built. The most effective form of sustainability may, therefore, be saving energy by… Read More »Adapting buildings to climate change
Architecture and climate change
“For those involved in the design of buildings and cities, be they architects, urbanists, or citizens, there is a deep responsibility to be aware of,… Read More »Architecture and climate change