Future-Proofed Energy Design Approaches for Achieving Low-Energy Homes: Enhancing the Code for Sustainable Homes
Under the label “future-proofing”, this paper examines the temporal component of sustainable construction as an unexplored, yet fundamental ingredient in the delivery of low-energy domestic buildings. The overarching aim is to explore the integration of future-proofed design approaches into current...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2014-09-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/4/3/488 |
| _version_ | 1811194356660436992 |
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| author | Maria Christina Georgiadou |
| author_facet | Maria Christina Georgiadou |
| author_sort | Maria Christina Georgiadou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Under the label “future-proofing”, this paper examines the temporal component of sustainable construction as an unexplored, yet fundamental ingredient in the delivery of low-energy domestic buildings. The overarching aim is to explore the integration of future-proofed design approaches into current mainstream construction practice in the UK, focusing on the example of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) tool. Regulation has been the most significant driver for achieving the 2016 zero-carbon target; however, there is a gap between the appeal for future-proofing and the lack of effective implementation by building professionals. Even though the CSH was introduced as the leading tool to drive the “step-change” required for achieving zero-carbon new homes by 2016 and the single national standard to encourage energy performance beyond current statutory minima, it lacks assessment criteria that explicitly promote a futures perspective. Based on an established conceptual model of future-proofing, 14 interviews with building practitioners in the UK were conducted to identify the “feasible” and “reasonably feasible” future-proofed design approaches with the potential to enhance the “Energy and CO2 Emissions” category of the CSH. The findings are categorised under three key aspects; namely: coverage of sustainability issues; adopting lifecycle thinking; and accommodating risks and uncertainties and seek to inform industry practice and policy-making in relation to building energy performance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:25:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8129d6a754f94f1aab2117497adbf0e9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T00:25:49Z |
| publishDate | 2014-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj.art-8129d6a754f94f1aab2117497adbf0e92022-12-22T03:55:33ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092014-09-014348851910.3390/buildings4030488buildings4030488Future-Proofed Energy Design Approaches for Achieving Low-Energy Homes: Enhancing the Code for Sustainable HomesMaria Christina Georgiadou0Department of Property and Construction, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS, UKUnder the label “future-proofing”, this paper examines the temporal component of sustainable construction as an unexplored, yet fundamental ingredient in the delivery of low-energy domestic buildings. The overarching aim is to explore the integration of future-proofed design approaches into current mainstream construction practice in the UK, focusing on the example of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) tool. Regulation has been the most significant driver for achieving the 2016 zero-carbon target; however, there is a gap between the appeal for future-proofing and the lack of effective implementation by building professionals. Even though the CSH was introduced as the leading tool to drive the “step-change” required for achieving zero-carbon new homes by 2016 and the single national standard to encourage energy performance beyond current statutory minima, it lacks assessment criteria that explicitly promote a futures perspective. Based on an established conceptual model of future-proofing, 14 interviews with building practitioners in the UK were conducted to identify the “feasible” and “reasonably feasible” future-proofed design approaches with the potential to enhance the “Energy and CO2 Emissions” category of the CSH. The findings are categorised under three key aspects; namely: coverage of sustainability issues; adopting lifecycle thinking; and accommodating risks and uncertainties and seek to inform industry practice and policy-making in relation to building energy performance.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/4/3/488code for sustainable homesenergy designfuture-proofingpolicy and practicezero-carbon |
| spellingShingle | Maria Christina Georgiadou Future-Proofed Energy Design Approaches for Achieving Low-Energy Homes: Enhancing the Code for Sustainable Homes Buildings code for sustainable homes energy design future-proofing policy and practice zero-carbon |
| title | Future-Proofed Energy Design Approaches for Achieving Low-Energy Homes: Enhancing the Code for Sustainable Homes |
| title_full | Future-Proofed Energy Design Approaches for Achieving Low-Energy Homes: Enhancing the Code for Sustainable Homes |
| title_fullStr | Future-Proofed Energy Design Approaches for Achieving Low-Energy Homes: Enhancing the Code for Sustainable Homes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Future-Proofed Energy Design Approaches for Achieving Low-Energy Homes: Enhancing the Code for Sustainable Homes |
| title_short | Future-Proofed Energy Design Approaches for Achieving Low-Energy Homes: Enhancing the Code for Sustainable Homes |
| title_sort | future proofed energy design approaches for achieving low energy homes enhancing the code for sustainable homes |
| topic | code for sustainable homes energy design future-proofing policy and practice zero-carbon |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/4/3/488 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mariachristinageorgiadou futureproofedenergydesignapproachesforachievinglowenergyhomesenhancingthecodeforsustainablehomes |