Note 3. Build Less

27 Jun

Written By Jenny Carlin

Building is expensive and stressful, so why not build a little bit less, but achieve so much more?

This is a controversial opinion, but is a topic that is being highlighted universally at the moment:

Do we really need more stuff (and that includes buildings) ?

Fashion expert, Savile Row tailor, campaigner and TV presenter Patrick Grant champions quality over excessive consumption.

His new book is on our bookself as there is complete crossover between our industries. We are in a cycle of fast, cheap everything.

It’s always a race to the bottom:

How can we save on architects fees?
I don’t want to use an architect, they’re expensive.
My brother in law/neighbour/dog can draw it cheaper.
I just want drawings.
Who can build this cheapest?
I just want it to comply with regs
What’s the cheapest way to get more floor space?
I don’t care what the material is as long as it looks like wood.
I need more space.

This is valuing more ‘stuff’, such as building materials and floor space (so we can own even more…) for the lowest possible cost.

It drives down quality, the construction will be poor, a builder does things how they’ve always done them (which might be at best out of date, or worst dangerous or liable to fail). Building regulations, which are actually only the legal minimum standard for construction in the UK, are seen as a target for quality.

We care a lot about the buildings we live in. We need to be having the same conversations as Patrick on a daily basis:

How can be build less but better?
We need to value skills and target quality over quantity.
What we do build, lasts and is fit for purpose.

These conversations are not happening quickly enough in our industry. The supply chain is the same, the skill base is the same, procurement is the same and most importantly the large house builders who control the market are carrying on as normal. Housing developers and property sales are providing a product in a commercial transaction, and therefore financial gains will govern their decisions.

We need to change the market, by supporting changes in attitude to consumerism and demand.

We need to push against a system which incentivises clients to demolish existing buildings (with no VAT to build new) and how we rethink the reflex to demolish and propose imaginative solutions for transformation.

We are told we never have enough and our self worth is tied in with being a consumer. What does enough look like?

How do we do things differently?

As architects we encourage investment in skills - education and design. This drives up quality, and expectations, and moves consuming towards valuing quality over quantity.

It also invests in people, creating jobs and valuing our thoughtful creative contributions. This makes everyone feel good!

The cost of design is often intangible outside of the creative industries (‘I just need drawings’), but through good design we can help you build:

Cheaper

Lifestyle over floor area
At the start of every project we take a big step back and guide you through a briefing process to assess the scale of your project.
We focus on what your home needs to do for you: your lifestyle, practical needs and what brings you joy. This means we can design only what you really need, maximise use of existing space, and suggest alternative ways of achieving the lifestyle you aspire to.
Focusing on lifestyle rather than floor area provides you with a more efficient build, potentially smaller than you expect. What you do build you know is value for money and will work for you.
You might think you need more space, but what you really need is less stuff and better storage, or the space you already have to be more efficient.
Create less waste
All those things you’re throwing away? You’ve paid for that. That third skip your builder’s just filled? That’s all materials you own. Now you’d paid for someone to take it away and dispose of it. If we stop doing this we maximise our assets: choose carefully and you will produce less waste.
Better

Education and Communication
As architects we maintain professional standards through education. We are aware of changes in regulations, best practice and new developments, therefore are always responding to best practice.
Good quality construction is better than the building regulations, and we use the British Standards, industry guidance and manufacturers literature to guide the process.
For example, you often hear clients and builder’s complain about timber cladding. It’s not covered in the building regulations, and builders are not obliged to read best practice (and often don’t know it exists). By designing it to wider guidance we avoid staining and lifespan issues caused by inadequate splash zones, ventilation, expansion, or species selection.
By preparing drawings showing the construction of your project you are investing in communication to those who will use their skills to build, not expecting a builder to design unless they are trained and insured to do so.The building profession is unregulated, so it is always good value for money to involve registered professionals when you are considering large financial investments - your savings - on a highly emotive project - your home.
Mistakes are expensive
Design means everything is thought about in advance. Investing in an architect is great value for money as drawings and intelligence costs less than mistakes. With spaces which are fit for purpose, you will have the reassurance that you will have space for your furniture, adequate storage, and all the little details (which actually matter, such as socket placement) won’t be left till the end.
Design for longevity
Trends shouldn’t always be aspirational: It might mean a higher initial investment, but high-quality, timeless design ensures longevity and reduce the need for frequent replacement. It saves money and resources in the long run. Good quality fixtures, fittings and furniture can often be sold on if no longer needed. We concentrate on timeless architectural fixtures and finishes, which can be personalised with your quality trend led furnishings.
Healthier

Joy
Nice things make you feel good! Creative ideas bring you joy. Thinking about light, space and efficiency improve your mental health.
Stress
Building is stressful. It’s messy, dusty and unpredicatble. It’s not something that can be avoided, and if you are still living in your home it’s inescapable. Building less means you have to put up with it for less time!
Air quality
Choosing quality construction and finishes, based on natural bio based materials, improves the air quality inside your home. Many material off-gas, which super-simply, is the airborne release of a chemical, a chemical in vapor form. Whenever you smell a product, it’s off-gassing. It happens the most when a product is new. Fresh paint odor? Off-gassing. New memory foam smell? Off-gassing. But many products or materials continue off-gassing even after the “new smell” has gone away—the fumes are just much more subtle. Some fumes are more toxic than others, and the chemicals from plastics and adhesives tend to be the worst. Prolonged exposure can cause headaches, respiratory illnesses, hormone disruption, and a variety of cancers.
One of the best arguments for incorporating reused or recycled materials (depending on their processing), apart from saving space in landfills and decreasing carbon emissions, is that they are far safer from an off-gassing perspective.
Mental health
Natural materials are also great for your mental health, and are usually better quality. Biophilic design decribes incorporating natural materials such as plants and solid wood into the built environment. It is said to reduce stress and blood pressure while increasing creativity and productivity. Studies have also shown that bringing elements of the natural world into the home or office can improve concentration and levels of engagement.
Natural materials also have the benefit of being timeless, as quality and real finishes don’t date. They might have an inheritant style but good design is always good design.
Decarbonisation
Being a mindful consumer is also healthier for our planet. In the UK, the Committee on Climate Change has recommended that all buildings must be net-zero to deliver the Government's goals. To achieve net-zero we must eliminate or offset both embodied carbon and operational carbon in buildings.
Embodied carbon is the Carbon emissions associated with materials and construction processes during the construction and refurbishment of a building or infrastructure. The World Green Building Council calculates that embodied carbon in the built environment accounts for about 11% of total global emissions.
Operational carbon is the emissions associated with energy used to operate the building or infrastructure, i.e. during its life. The operation of buildings alone creates 23% of UK emissions.
To reduce embodied carbon, we need to think intelligently: