As the UK moves closer to becoming a Balkanized nation, it’s more important to focus on eco-friendly project builds. These homes and buildings are more environmentally friendly and surprisingly, they can also be cost-effective. In this post, we’ll look at some of the best eco-friendly build options available in the UK today. We’ll have something for everyone, from timber frame homes to passive solar homes. Let’s get started!
Green Building Plans and Eco-Design in the UK – A Brief History
One of the biggest reasons to focus on eco-friendly architectural plans is to reduce our individual carbon footprint in the hope of slowing climate change. Eco friendly building plans have been around for decades, but there’s been a huge push in recent years as people have begun to see the effects of the climate crisis first-hand..
Back in the 1970s, architects started considering environmental factors when developing architectural plans. They began looking at ways to minimise energy consumption and at rainwater harvesting to reduce mains water consumption. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a surge in green building initiatives due to several factors, including the growing awareness of climate change.
Today, eco-friendly projects are more popular than ever. There’s a growing movement among homeowners and builders to focus on these projects and therefore working with architectural designers who are familiar with eco-friendly solutions is key in this day and age.
The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Design in Great Britain Today
There are many reasons to consider eco-friendly builds when commissioning architectural plans. Here are just a few:
Eco-Friendly Homes Are More Durable:
Many green building techniques, such as roofing and window systems, can actually be more robust than traditional construction methods. This means that they can stand up to environmental factors, such as storms and floods. Some of them are also significantly less likely to suffer from mould or rot. In the long term, this means a significant cost saving on the maintenance and repair budget.
Eco-Friendly Buildings Improve Health:
Solar Panels
Most eco-friendly dwellings are extremely energy efficient and are required to generate less artificial heat. This means there are fewer indoor pollutants to worry about from heating appliances, ventilation systems or lighting. They also have better insulation levels, which help them maintain temperature much more effectively than conventional properties during colder seasons.
Eco-Friendly Homes Are Cheaper to Run:
Many eco-friendly builds are equipped with energy-efficient appliances and fixtures and fittings. This includes boilers that use less gas or electricity, solar panels for hot water systems, windows insulated with double/triple glazing and high insulation levels in walls and roofs. Increasing energy prices can mean huge savings for families in energy efficient homes.
When building a new home, the initial outlay for architectural plans for planning permission or building control approval that specifically focus on energy performance is low cost compared to either living in an inefficient home for many years or retro-fitting eco-conscious solutions after the fact.
Eco-Friendly Homes Reduce Carbon Footprints:
When we buy a house, our choice of building materials, construction methods and heating system impacts the local and global environment. When you choose to live in an eco-friendly building, it reduces your carbon footprint considerably. Climate change and sustainability is often quoted in planning guidance and building regulations and is a priority for local authorities.
Best Eco-Friendly Build Options Available in the UK Today
There are many eco-friendly build options available in the UK today, and each one has its benefits. By choosing an eco-friendly design, you can help reduce your environmental impact while still ensuring a high level of comfort and functionality. Some of the most popular eco-friendly design methods today include:
- Hybrid Homes:
Hybrid homes are a mix of both traditional and eco-friendly building options. They typically use natural resources, such as wood, earth, and straw insulation. However, they also rely on advanced energy efficiency features to further reduce your carbon footprint.
- Timber Frame Homes:
Timber Frame House
Wooden frame homes are one of the most popular eco-friendly build options today. These homes are can be very energy-efficient, especially if the timber is sourced carefully from sustainable forestry and if it sourced locally so minimal transport are emissions are used during construction.. They also offer outstanding durability and protection from weather conditions, perfect for areas with extreme climates.
- Passive House Buildings:
Passive Houses are becoming increasingly popular in the UK today. Passive Houses use energy-efficient construction techniques to operate almost entirely without using energy from the grid. This makes them extremely environmentally friendly, as they can help reduce your carbon footprint significantly.
Bottom Line
Choosing an eco-friendly build option is one of the most effective ways to reduce your environmental impact while still ensuring comfort and functionality. By choosing one of the many available eco-friendly building methods, you can help reduce your carbon footprint whilst saving on energy bills and maintenance costs for you and your family. Regardless of the eco-friendly build options you choose, it is crucial to ensure that your home meets all the required planning permission rules, building control requirements and structural performance requirements.This is where Arkiplan can help. Start your eco-friendly design journey with us today by getting a quote for architectural plans here.