Building “must stand up”

It was somewhat unnerving.

There I was, all set to help develop a positive, forward-thinking work programme with one of Forum’s business partners. And here was the MD, introducing the internal sustainability workshop. He highlighted the company’s decline in profits. He had important messages to get across about staff cuts. He spoke of the current lack of liquidity in the marketplace. And I began to feel like the last item on a News At Ten bulletin: “And finally, sustainable development…”

It did get better. After that sobering start, discussions became quite positive. There was a feeling that the company could move forward with exploring new sustainable approaches and products – if a clear business case could be identified. But that meeting reflected the nature of others I have attended of late. Glance at the recent headlines, and it’s evident that many construction and property companies are suffering at the minute.

I respect the difficulties that they are in. But there’s a danger. In the built environment sector, businesses that don’t have sustainable development at the core of their business model might assume that environmental and social issues can be ‘dropped’ for the time being, to be picked up again when the marketplace is more buoyant. This goes on the assumption that sustainable design and construction practices are ‘nice to have’ rather than a ‘must have’. I would argue that this assumption is fundamentally flawed – lacking long-term strategic thinking, and damaging to future business prospects.

Because, whatever the current market conditions, the road ahead is pretty clearly signposted. We have greater certainty about regulation; a few years ago, who would have thought we would have specific UK government targets for zero carbon buildings? The EU, too, is not going to let up on tightening environmental requirements. We also have greater clarity about the government’s expectations as a client; the sustainability criteria of Public Private Partnership projects like Building Schools for the Future are patchy but improving.

It is also pretty obvious that the case for greater eco-efficiency – doing more with less – is being strengthened as construction costs, energy prices and landfill taxes rise. Of course, this is a consequence of current global supply and demand issues, but do we really see this upward trend changing? If not, it remains crucial for the construction industry (including our architects) to increase the longevity of our buildings and their components, add long-term value to existing stock through energy efficiency, and improve the reusability of materials already contained in our built environment. With the current decline in housing sales also placing greater emphasis on retrofit and refurbishment rather than new build, a forward-thinking company would be looking to align themselves and their workforce to these market developments.

Speaking to those involved in delivering sustainable built environments, I’m confident that the slowdown in construction will free up more time for real thought leadership around the projects that are going ahead. There are many talented and progressive individuals looking to incorporate sustainable design out there, but such has been the ‘heat’ in the market over recent years that they have often been so pressed for time that they have had to compromise their aspirations with operational reality. Now is the time to go back to the drawing board and rethink the way we build. This is not high risk. It’s about investing in some serious long-term thinking, and anticipating the opportunities that are likely to arise as we move towards more sustainable communities, buildings and infrastructure.

Martin Hunt leads Forum’s work in the built environment

13 October 2008

Martin Hunt