Building as we know it is tremendously polluting. Demolishing too. Starting now, we need to implement sustainable and regenerative strategies. How are architects and the building industry responding? In this interview, Pete Collard talks about the ways researchers and practitioners in the UK are looking to reduce architecture’s carbon footprint and discusses the way in which six case studies present new approaches to documentation, materials and design. Based on the principle of eliminating waste by reusing as much material as possible, “Long Life, Low Energy” suggests the concept of a circular economy as a sustainable and effective way to achieve results.
KOOZ RIBA’s “Built for the Environment” report shows that 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to buildings and construction, consuming about 50% of all raw materials worldwide in the process. In addition, over 50,000 buildings are demolished each year across the UK, many of which could have been repurposed. How does the exhibition “Long Life, Low Energy” respond to such figures?
PETE COLLARD Our exhibition is a way of showing how architects are responding to this data, innovating and implementing new ways of practising as they seek to reduce their environmental footprint. In particular, the show highlights the need for more meaningful documentation and comparative studies of whole life carbon, to assess the trade-offs and interactions between upfront and operational carbon over a building’s life.
KOOZ How does the exhibition frame notions of sustainability and circularity? On what time scale are these parameters defined and evaluated?
PC We’ve arranged the exhibition as something of an informal timeline, beginning with a short study of how conventional 20th century approaches favoured a short-term view of design—build – demolition – repeat—which reduced the lifespan of some buildings down to 30 years or less. From there we looked at the increasing levels of reuse and retrofit that have taken place over the past few years before looking forward to the potential that a circular economy can bring. We have highlighted six case studies of new research and working practices.
These projects work to different scales offering a meaningful pathway towards a sustainable future.
KOOZ The exhibition presents case studies which highlight the practice of material reuse throughout history—as exemplified by the Phoenix House in Windsor by CSK Architects— and also explores new technologies and the opportunities which can arise through the implementation of “material passports”. How does the materials exhibited demonstrate the varied and creative approaches to put forward a circular approach to the building industry?
PC The six case studies are presented very much as works-in-progress, with none of the projects presented in the final section showing completed buildings. Instead, they present new approaches to design and material specification that are at the research stage, initiatives that we believe could make a significant difference to meeting net-zero targets in the future. These projects work to different scales, from the direct reuse of steel frames to upcycling household waste into new materials, but always with a shared ambition, offering a meaningful pathway towards a sustainable future.
To reach net zero, we need to understand the scale of the problem—the government requires to set the right metrics.
KOOZ Beyond the architecture studios and the work which can be undertaken by the architect, how much of the work needs to be developed from a policy perspective? What are for you the greatest challenges at a governmental level in defining a strict and successful framework?
PC The built environment is responsible for 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions but nearly half of that comes from energy used in buildings. To reach net zero, we need to understand the scale of the problem—the government requires to set the right metrics. These are required for operational energy and embodied carbon, and there must be clear targets too. Unless the government gets this right, it will be hard to effectively tackle energy demand within the built environment. Requirements for the consistent assessment and reporting of whole life carbon and set targets for embodied carbon should be phased in. This is the emissions associated with materials, construction, refurbishment and disposal.
We have some of the worst performing building stock in western Europe. Yet, around 85% of our current buildings will still be in use in 2050.
We have some of the worst performing building stock in western Europe. Yet, around 85% of our current buildings will still be in use in 2050. A well-funded National Retrofit Strategy is required to upgrade our building stock’s energy efficiency and ensure it can stand the test of time. This needs to be a long term policy and investment programme for upgrading the energy efficiency of England’s housing stock. It needs to include clear governance arrangements, targets and a plan identifying incentive and ring fencing funding. Such a strategy would need to be based on considerable, sustained government funding and support the UK’s transition towards net zero, in a way that also stimulates economic growth. A national housing retrofit programme can deliver co-benefits, like lifting occupants out of fuel poverty and reducing cases of ill health (such as asthma, allergies and rheumatic diseases) that are exacerbated by poor housing conditions.
It is critical that the government takes greater and faster action on climate policy issues, so that we can effectively decarbonise the UK’s built environment whilst boosting skills and creating green jobs.
KOOZ In what institutional ways is RIBA acting upon these statistics to ensure that architects registered to RIBA and operating within British territory are effectively implementing sustainable and regenerative strategies? What are your ambitions for the future?
PC The RIBA declared an environmental and climate emergency in June 2019. We announced that we would help chartered practices to commit to voluntary reporting of core building performance metrics.
Our Sustainable Outcomes Guide defines a concise measurable set of eight sustainable outcomes, which correspond to key UN Sustainable Development Goals. They can be delivered on building projects of all scales. The Guide also supports architects to meet their targets as part of the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge—helping them to design with a climate conscious trajectory in mind. In 2021, we published the Plan for Use Guide, providing architects with practical advice to deliver outcome-based approach to briefing, design, construction, and handover. The Guide has three key principles that RIBA encourages all practices to adopt in their work: 1) set measurable, realistic targets; 2) complete Plan for Use activities and mitigate risks to in-use performance 3) measure and evaluate in-use building performance and feedback.
The RIBA is working with leading industry bodies to create and launch a UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard this year. This voluntary standard will be used to robustly prove that built assets are net zero carbon and meeting climate targets.
More recently, we published a jointly commissioned Passivhaus Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, in partnership with the Passivhaus Trust. This type of focused guidance is one of the ways the RIBA encourages sustainable design. It draws on the expertise of experienced designers and certifiers that our current approaches are incompatible with reaching net zero by 2050. The RIBA is working with leading industry bodies to create and launch a UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard this year. This voluntary standard will be used to robustly prove that built assets are net zero carbon and meeting climate targets. The RIBA is also supporting the development of the Built Environment Carbon Database for the UK. The database is intended as the main source of carbon estimating and benchmarking for the UK construction sector and will act as a practical way to help decarbonise buildings.
Bio
Pete Collard is one of two exhibition curators at RIBA, working on the public programme at 66 Portland Place. Prior to RIBA, Collard held positions at the Design Museum, the V&A, and the British Council, working on a range of exhibition projects. He has a particular interest in documenting architecture on film as demonstrated by the Urban Mining production we commissioned for Long Life, Low Energy.
Federica Zambeletti is the founder and managing director of KoozArch. She is an architect, researcher and digital curator whose interests lie at the intersection between art, architecture and regenerative practices. In 2015 Federica founded KoozArch with the ambition of creating a space where to research, explore and discuss architecture beyond the limits of its built form. Parallel to her work at KoozArch, Federica is Architect at the architecture studio UNA and researcher at the non-profit agency for change UNLESS where she is project manager of the research "Antarctic Resolution". Federica is an Architectural Association School of Architecture in London alumni.
