2016 the year of the Zero Carbon Home? – err well no.
2016 was supposed to be the year that zero carbon happened, but it didn’t quite pan out as hoped says Gwyn Roberts.
2016 was supposed to be the year that zero carbon happened, but it didn’t quite pan out as hoped says Gwyn Roberts.
As a clear commitment to ensuring quality and sustainable outcomes for home occupiers, developers are now registering their newly built homes against the Home Quality Mark.
Gwyn Roberts gives his thoughts on the UK Government’s Housing White Paper.
The phase out of the Green Guide to Specification, use of EPD in BREEAM, EN 15804 EPD, and online LCA tools. The Materials section in BREEAM is designed to raise awareness of and encourage sustainable procurement and use of construction products. For many years BREEAM has used the outputs of the BRE Environmental Profiles scheme … Continue reading “Environmental Assessment & EPD – Expanded Horizons”
What is a Healthy Home? Today, UKGBC with support from BRE and Hoare Lea launch a briefing note.
As described in the earlier article Why building LCA?, BREEAM New Construction 2018 requires building LCA to be carried out for the new Mat 01 issue. The requirements in Mat 01 focus on rewarding good quality building LCA through comparison with a benchmark and options appraisal. Starting with the project brief/requirements, designers use building … Continue reading “Getting results with building LCA”
The next version of the Home Quality Mark (HQM) scheme – HQM ONE is now out for consultation. Below are 5 things you need to know about the proposed changes to the scheme: Please visit the consultation website to download the scheme manual and to know how you can provide feedback. Consultation closes on 16th February … Continue reading “5 things you need to know about HQM ONE”
In the last budget, the Chancellor continued the Governments drive for greater density of housing because people want to live in urban areas and close to work. With the London Plan (currently under consultation) the Mayor also wants to encourage greater density. There are benefits of high density housing, it is easier to connect to … Continue reading “High Quality High Density Homes; what we need or storing up trouble?”
Since the launch of Beta we have engaged with many different HQM stakeholders, including developers, assessors, consultancies designers, consumer groups, representative industry bodies, manufacturers, academics, regulators, planners, agents and various parts of the financial sector. Most have been supportive in the aims of Home Quality Mark, with firm commitments from many via project registrations, recognition, … Continue reading “Home Quality Mark ONE Consultation – we are listening.”
More than 11,000 homes are now registered for assessment under the Home Quality Mark.