How do we build better buildings with sustainability and occupant wellbeing in mind while saving on costs and resources?
It has become quite clear that the demand and price of raw materials are going to remain high for at least the short term.
Schemes and policies are in place to help reduce costs and increase wellbeing; vital for an industry that is pulling its hair out due to these heavy demands and lack of resources – material and human.
Building Better, Building Beautiful
One of these schemes is the Government’s Building Better, Building Beautiful.
This commission independently advised the government on how to promote high-quality design of new build homes and neighbourhoods.
The three primary aims were:
- Explore options for better designed and styled homes, villages, towns and high streets.
- With stronger, more wide-ranging community consent, exploring how new settlements can be developed.
- To evolve the planning system to work in support of better design and style, not against it.
Ticking all these boxes is another campaign, the WELL Building Standard. Originally launched back in 2014 by Delos and now becoming more commonplace, WELL was created for the sole purpose of leveraging the actual workplace with wellbeing in mind.
So, how do you build buildings with wellbeing in mind while keeping costs and resources down?
From various campaigns and surveys, timber is proving to be by far one of the most beneficial materials – for occupant wellbeing and overall environmental and cost considerations. Here’s why:
Timber systems are capable of superior thermal performance and minimal air leakage.
A great benefit with lack of resources in mind is, timber offers good natural insulation. Additional technologies and materials do not need to be relied on as heavily.
A timber frame construction can also deliver fewer carbon emissions, and it’s ideal for creating light, airy environments.
By moderating humidity, timber has been proven to provide better indoor air quality than alternatives, and it can even help to directly reduce stress as it lowers our sympathetic nervous system.
Timber construction can help improve health and wellbeing in office environments and all kinds of other workplaces. It’s sustainable, can be produced quicker than other alternatives, and it is a great low-carbon alternative to traditional construction methods.
For more information on environmentally friendly, energy-efficient timber methods of construction that promote wellbeing, visit paramounttimber.co.uk.
Paramount Timber Group
Tel: 01634 893821
Please note: this is a commercial profile
