Better design could make new homes cooler

The climatic situation we find ourselves in requires a shift in the very basics of building design, says Chris Halligan

There are two main issues driving the problem of overheating in modern housing (Overheated homes: why UK housing is dangerously unprepared for impact of climate crisis, 10 August).

First, in order to maximise profit, developers often do the bare minimum required by legislation, without any consideration of the building’s performance in use over its lifespan. This desire for economy also often leads to the reduction of natural elements (such as tree planting in urban areas), which may otherwise assist in tempering heat buildup.

Second, too often we seek to solve fundamental flaws in the building design with bolt-on solutions, when instead we should design for climate resilience from the outset. The move towards air conditioning as a response to overheating problems illustrates this. Even the new Part O building regulations – which cover ensuring that homes do not overheat – allow the use of machinery rather than requiring an adequately responsive building fabric.

Design expertise from environmentally minded professionals such as chartered architectural technologists can help to overcome these problems without using energy-hungry machinery. Considering the orientation of the building, incorporating a natural ventilation strategy and utilising materials in the building’s fabric that mitigate heat gain can greatly reduce the risk of overheating. But such principles are often disregarded in order to cut costs.

The climatic situation we find ourselves in requires a shift in the very basics of building design. The knowledge is available. It just needs to be employed.
Chris Halligan
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

Cover photo:  ‘The new-build overheating problem does not come as a surprise to many building design professionals.’ Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian