PROPERTY
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE How the property industry is balancing aesthetics with ethics
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By John Mather
ustainability is no longer a niche concern in the property industry it’s a defining pillar of how we design, build, and live. s awareness and knowledge have grown over the years, and the K target of net zero emissions approaches, eco-conscious practices have reshaped the way property professionals work. From growing client demand for greener homes to stricter energy e ciency regulations, the shift is both deep and wide ranging. ere we ask our local property and design e perts to e plain how the need to be green has influenced and impacted the way they work.
WATCHING THE CHANGES
Many of our e perts have directly seen awareness of green issues growing over time, as architect and director Rich Tyers explains, ears ago, I think eco conscious design was only applied to showcase pro ects. ow, most clients recognise that climate change is important to consider in their projects. Sustainability has also evolved to encompass a far wider range of topics. Individual health, comfort and climate resilience is an important aspect of climate mitigation and considered to be ust as important as energy e ciency and carbon emissions. For Gavin Hyde, director of Sulis Electrical Services, the changes have directly influenced the services and products he provides Demand has seen a significant growth across all aspects of renewable energy from both solar and electric vehicle ( V) charging and now through to battery storage. There is a greater awareness and interest from our customers. For some it’s pure financial, but for most it is a genuine desire to have a less harmful impact on the environment.
MATERIAL THINGS
For most property businesses, whether it be planning, construction, planning, or design, the types of materials chosen have evolved due to environmental considerations. “Sustainable design is embedded in our whole business, says Dan Raymond-Barker, director of surveying and carbon management at Mitchell & Dickinson. “That’s because we retrofit and restore rather than replace. Firstly, because the nature of listed buildings means we have to, and secondly, because there is value, craftsmanship and embodied carbon wrapped up in everything we address. Restoring and insulating what is already there is almost always going to be more environmentally friendly.
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ABOVE: Rich Tyers Sustainability is evolving says architect Rich Tyers;
OPPOSITE: Interior designer Clair Strong favours ethical, eco-friendly brands like Nkuku