In the PBC Today February 2019 edition, Sam Stacey, challenge director for Transforming Construction at UK Research & Innovation, discusses the new, government-backed Core Innovation Hub, which aims to support the development of technologies that will deliver a “new kind of construction”.
Meanwhile, Kate Henderson, the new chief executive of the National Housing Federation, examines how we can deliver not only more homes but the right homes, in the right places – and at the right price – to create sustainable communities.
Elsewhere, Ben Channon, senior architect at Assael Architecture, discusses his book, Happy by Design: A Guide to Architecture and Mental Wellbeing, which argues that those who shape the built environment can and must do more to make people feel safer, happier and more connected with their surroundings.
There is much more besides, from an interview with Noel Hunter of the Consumer Code for Home Builders to a profile of the University of Salford’s world-first research centre, Energy House 2.0, and a look at the big issues facing the construction industry in 2019.
Here’s a selection of what’s in store:
The Construction Innovation Hub support collaboration across the digital, manufacturing and construction sectors to develop and commercialise technologies that will help transform the sector. Sam Stacey, challenge director for Transforming Construction at UKRI, outlines how it will work.
2. Solving the housing crisis: The right homes, in the right place, for the right price
Tackling the housing crisis is more than just a numbers game. Kate Henderson, new chief executive of the National Housing Federation, sets out the challenges we need to address to create truly sustainable communities.
3. A Modern Method for 21st century construction
Alex Lubbock, head of digital construction at the Infrastructure & Projects Authority, discusses how Modern Methods of Construction can reshape the sector to deliver higher productivity, quality and performance.
4. Designing buildings to improve mental health
We must take the lead on designing for mental health, writes Ben Channon, senior architect at Assael Architecture and author of Happy by Design: A Guide to Architecture and Mental Wellbeing.
5. Ensuring fairness and transparency for home buyers
Noel Hunter, chairman of the Consumer Code for Home Builders, talks to PBC Today about protecting buyers from nasty surprises when making one of the biggest purchases of their life.
6. We need to talk about cities
How can we use city data to create urban wellbeing? Tom Leaver of Future Cities Catapult takes a look.
7. Energy House 2.0: World-first research centre to speed up building innovation
A £16m home energy research centre to test innovative construction, smart home and digital products has been given the go-ahead. PBC Today takes a look at Energy House 2.0.
8. Redefining the green belt to tackle the UK’s housing crisis
Richard Hyams of architectural practice astudio argues that redefining the green belt will help tackle the UK’s current housing crisis.
9. A level playing field for AIs
The Welsh government’s rejection of proposals to only allow LABC building inspectors to oversee high-rise residential buildings recognises the important role Approved Inspectors play in this key area of building control, argues Paul Wilkins.
10. A year of developments in construction – and what 2019 may hold
2018 saw some big changes and big challenges for the construction industry. Simon Lewis and Hannah Gardiner of law firm Womble Bond Dickinson look back at the key developments – and highlight what we can expect in the year ahead.
