CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES

Government policy is for new housing to be zero-carbon by 2016. The news this week was that this is unachievable. The predicted failure is not because the technology is unachievable but because house builders are not willing to include the features that are required by the UK Code for Sustainable Homes, as these will add to construction costs.

The facts about the reduced running costs of sustainable homes should influence potential buyers, but the house builders are not yet prepared to take the risk.

The facts about the costs to the country of the rising temperature, flooding, and the rising sea level should influence the government to subsidise the extra costs for features to make houses zero-carbon, but politicians are not prepared to take the risk.

Some people take account of the facts and, in Birmingham, John Christophers of Associated Architects has designed his new family home to Level 6 (the highest level) of the new Code for Sustainable Homes. It's an extension of a redbrick Victorian house, converting a 2-bedroom semi-detached into a 4-bedroom dwelling with a studio loft. It extends upwards and outwards: upwards to catch the sun otherwise obscured by a taller neighbouring house, backwards to create a 2-storey suntrap overlooking the garden, sideways for more space.

The original 1840 brick house is preserved, as are the mature ash trees in the garden. Integration with the surroundings is important, and the design takes full account of the neighbouring architecture in Tindal Street, B12.

You can read more about sustainable and zero-carbon homes on the zerocarbonhub website.