Insights of architects' knowledge of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) in relation to low carbon housing design and delivery in the UK

Baba, Abiola; Mahdjoubi, Lamine; Olomolaiye, Paul; Booth, Colin

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to report research conducted to explore the insights of UK architects on the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) in relation to low carbon housing design and delivery. Design/methodology/approach: To explore the awareness and knowledge of CSH in low carbon housing design and delivery in the UK, a mixed method approach comprising of interviews with architects in practice and academia were combined with questionnaires to UK sustainable architectural practices. Findings: The results confirmed that, although UK architects are aware of CSH, it is only very few (11.8 per cent), who have the expert knowledge. This is in comparison to 52.9 per cent of those with some knowledge, and 35.3 per cent of those who are very knowledgeable in the use and implementation of CSH to design and deliver low carbon new homes in the UK. Research limitations/implications: The findings of this study are based only on the sustainable architects in the UK, therefore the findings may not represent the view of other constructional professionals in the UK. Practical implications: The research focused on investigating the judging criteria and opinions of architects who are strongly identified with sustainable housing design practices in the UK. It explores the insights of architects on the CSH, because their knowledge, use and implementation of it, along with other information on low carbon housing design, from the onset determines how soon zero carbon homes in the UK can be achieved; leading towards tackling energy use in the UK and on a wider level, the European commitment reduction of energy consumption. Originality/value: The paper is able to expose the weakness of architects in the use of information that is not represented graphically, pictorially or in the recognised Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) plan of work stages familiar to architects and the general construction industry in the UK. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Jan 28, 2013
• Journal: Structural Survey
• Print ISSN: 0263-080X
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 443-459
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/02630801211288215
• Keywords: architects, architects knowledge, code for sustainable homes, houses, low carbon housing, structural design, sustainable development, United Kingdom
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/951426
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02630801211288215
• Contract Date: Apr 26, 2016