New-style new build
The twin agenda of low carbon and modern methods of construction are driving a raft of innovations in the housebuilding sector, leading to developments that are cleaner and greener than ever.

The housing green paper, published in July, spelt out Gordon Brown’s agenda for housebuilding: three million new homes by 2020, two million of them by 2016. This is an ambitious vision, and coupled with the challenge of building homes to zero carbon standards by 2016 it becomes clear that the industry is on the cusp of a radical seachange.

The government’s latest initiative to promote low carbon building, the carbon challenge, will see consortia including developers, architects and suppliers teaming up to compete for surplus public sector sites, which will be the prize for the most innovative low carbon development plans.

Much like the design for manufacture competition, which captured the imagination of both the industry and the general public during 2006, this latest English Partnerships-led initiative is expected to spark real innovation and across the sector and to capture the public imagination over the coming months.

Elsewhere across the industry there is much innovation taking place as the code for sustainable homes requires a step change in the way homes are designed and built. But the path to zero carbon housing in 2016 is unlikely to be a smooth one. Major changes are needed in the way developers, architects, manufacturers, government agencies and the energy sectors work - and they will need to work much more closely. It is well recognised that strong supply chain partnerships will be key to achieving the government’s ambitious plans. This is both an exciting and challenging time for the housebuilding industry. Developers will undoubtedly be looking to suppliers to support them in their aim to build three million new homes by 2020.

Whether this target is realistically achievable remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: it will drive strong demand for new and innovative products and services from suppliers prepared to take a proactive approach.