On 1st April 2010, Code 3 for Sustainable Homes will rise to Code 4 for housing association developments starting construction on or after this date, making for more stringent regulation on sustainability.
The Code for Sustainable Homes is a voluntary standard, however those building homes with Government funding, or on Government land, are required to meet the standard. Both English Partnership and Housing Corporation introduced the Code as standard in April 2007, and the Homes and Communities Agency followed 12 months later. Additionally, some Local Authorities may apply conditions. It is anticipated that elements of the Code may enter Building Regulations ,and other regulations, in the future to reflect the higher sustainability standards.
The Code is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes, and aims to reduce carbon emissions and create homes that are more sustainable. It sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level within England.
This is just one of many forthcoming changes around creating more sustainable, energy efficient and eco-friendly housing. For full details visit www.communities.gov.uk/thecode.
Grafik recently completed a new contemporary style extension for Highgate Wood School, a mixed comprehensive providing secondary education to nearly 1400 students aged between 11 and 18, in Havering, Essex.
Grafik’s brief was to take the approved planning pack, and progress it to a technical/construction package of information to enable the project to obtain Building Control approval and allow the building contractor to undertake construction.
The project involved extending the existing dining area to nearly double its original size through an extension that also served as a link from the existing school building to a new 2-storey extension which was also constructed. The new 2-storey wing houses a Learning Resource Centre to the ground floor and first floor classrooms for multimedia and citizenship studies, together with music technology studios.
Constructed by Breyer Group Plc, the new block was built around a steel frame structure and features a mix of insulated render on block work walls to the ground floors, and insulated render on metal frame walls above the ground floor storey, as well as elements of glazed curtain walling. The new building is topped with a single ply membrane roofing system.
As Lee Corbett, Grafik’s managing director said “We were brought into this project once the Planning stages had been completed, and the consultants and contractors had been appointed. We undertook extensive liaison with all those involved to ensure the building was completed on time and to budget.
Cambridge County Council has recently imposed new conditions restricting ‘minor amendments’ made to buildings once planning permission has been granted. The new conditions apply to the Planning Act 2008, Section 96A relating to ‘non-material changes to planning permission’.
The move comes as a result of several cases in the Cambridge area, where the sum of several changes made a significant difference to the overall property, so that it no longer represented the plans to which the building was originally granted planning permission.
As Lee Corbett, Grafik’s managing director pointed out “Previously an infinite number of post-planning permission changes could be made without having to return to the planning process, including alterations that could have a substantial effect to the look and possibly the impact of the building on the surrounding environment. Now Cambridge has taken a stance on the minor amendments bill, we should all be aware that changes we make could mean that the planning process may have to be revisited, costing dearly in time, effort and ultimately money.”
It is believed that the success of the stance taken by Cambridge Country Council’s planning committee is being closely watched by others, and as a result we may see more councils adopting this approach.
Grafik’s sister company AA Energy Consultants Limited which specialises in BREEM and Code Assessments, as well as providing other services such as Air Tight Testing, SAP Energy Ratings, and Energy Performance is well versed in advising on, and implementing the changes listed here. Visit www.aa-energy.com
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new identity, including our new logo and this brand new website. We see our new identity as a new stage in our development. In these challenging times a great brand will enable us to communicate more effectively and it marks a new stage in our development. You can see our identity guidelines in the resources section by clicking here.
Managing and training our team is very important to everyone at Grafik Architecture. In order to move our people development to the next level we have teamed up with Grape HR to take advantage of their skills in training and human resources management. Grape HR will be responsible for helping us attract the best people and in ensuring our team is always supported.
Download the latest version of Adobe Reader.
