Architects and developers face new challenges every day. It is these challenges that drive innovation and move the industry as a whole forward. Usually they are trying to overcome challenges presented due to lack of space, to meet specific costs or budgets or in most cases to suit the taste of whoever the building is for.
A new consideration for all in the construction industry is the Environment. Environmental considerations are paramount for everyone, but the carbon emissions from buildings and each buildings ‘carbon footprint’ is becoming increasingly more important.
The Building Regulations in the UK have been updated to reflect these changes. Part L Building Regulations is concerned with the sustainability of buildings and their energy efficiency. The regulations apply to both commercial and residential buildings, depending on the purpose of the building there are different assessments and criteria to be met.
For example, commercial buildings may require an SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) calculation that is submitted at the same time as the Building Control application is made. New build New build residential buildings are required to have a SAP Calculation in place, a SAP calculation is used to calculate the overall energy performance of a new dwelling and takes into account both the design and ‘as-built’ stage of the development process.
Modern day designers and developers in the construction industry need to keep up to date with the changes in the building regulations and most would agree that Part L is likely to be added to revised over the next few years.