ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
HOW ARCHITECTS CAN MEET UK NET ZERO CARBON BUILDINGS STANDARDS WITH SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
BY IMPLEMENTING THESE SOLUTIONS , ARCHITECTS CAN PRODUCE HIGH- PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS AND DELIVER LONG-TERM ENERGY SAVINGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Towards the end of 2024 industry leaders came together to lay out new guidelines with the aim to ensure new buildings meet Net Zero Carbon targets . Organisations including RIBA , UKGBC and RICS joined forces to release updates to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard pilot , which was first conceptualised in November 2022 .
With input from thousands of businesses and individuals , and using data from more than 4,000 projects , the updated framework demonstrates a step forward in encouraging the UK ’ s construction and building industries to adopt a stronger net zero carbon ethos .
This ambitious guideline sets out a pathway for all new buildings to achieve net zero carbon emissions . For architects , the challenge lies in integrating sustainable design strategies that meet targets while maintaining aesthetic and functional excellence . Here are some sustainable approaches that can help architects comply with the 2024 standard .
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1 . Shading over air conditioning According to the International Energy Agency ( IEA )‘ s recent World Energy Outlook report , cooling is the fastest-growing use of energy in buildings , and energy consumption used to cool homes is set to skyrocket by 280 per cent by 2050 .
The problem was also raised last week at COP29 . The CIBSE ’ s ( Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers ) Technical Director gave a talk about ‘ Sustainable Cooling in a Warming World ’, with a huge focus on Passive Cooling .
The best way to reduce the need for air conditioning in buildings is by preventing overheating from occurring in the first place . This can be achieved by the use of passive shading solutions such as external blinds .
External blinds are designed to reduce heat transfer and solar glare , improving the thermal efficiency of buildings . During hot periods , the blinds block excessive sunlight , reducing the need for air conditioning .
Photos : David Boyer