The built environment is far and away our biggest environmental footprint. Can two new resources help construction clean up is act?
Labour is currently trying to make good on promises to deliver 1.5million new homes over the next five years. But developers are not only being asked to increase the speed at which new projects are brought online, they are also required to meet sustainability requirements set out in the Future Homes Standard.
In response, the Structural Industry Association and Future Homes Hub certainly believes it could be possible and has launched the Timber Framework Journey to support companies in completing greener homes in faster times.
This involved a two-day event in which delegates were given a tour of the full timber supply chain in Scotland, from ethically managed forests and sawmills to engineered timber factory and new housing sites.
The country is currently a UK frontrunner in terms of timber construction, with 92% of homes built using wood – far more than England, where the rate is just 9%. According to the sector, this approach can offer faster completion times, while concrete block waste plummets by up to 50% and timber waste by 90% compared with masonry.
‘The Future Homes Standard can only be delivered successfully by sharing knowledge and lessons learned. These learning journeys showcase all electric, low carbon homes and the techniques to build them at scale,’ said Future Homes Hub Programme Director, Richard Lankshear.
‘Scotland is years ahead when it comes to building homes that are low-carbon, efficient and delivered at pace,’ said Andrew Orriss, CEO of the Structural Timber Association. ‘The learning journey was about showing that it’s possible and already happening. We wanted home builders to see for themselves how timber frame isn’t a theory, it’s already the backbone of faster, greener house building elsewhere in the UK.’
Image: Josh Olalde / Unsplash
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