National Shelter Products’ Post

🏗️ Maximize Efficiency with Low-Rise Infill 🏡💡 Here’s why repeatable multi-unit low-rise infill is a game-changer: 💵 Cost-Effective Construction: Repeatable designs are efficient. The modular approach allows for faster construction and reduced costs per unit. Multi-unit homes are the most affordable to heat, cool, and maintain. Low-rise buildings can be constructed in “simple” wood framing. Infill uses existing serviced land and saves the cost of building new roads and extending infrastructure.  ⚡Swift and Scalable: Modular housing can be rapidly deployed, making it ideal for meeting housing needs quickly and effectively. Repeatable conventional construction is faster and more dependable.  🌿Sustainable Solutions: Low-rise infill promotes sustainable urban growth by utilizing existing spaces and reducing environmental impact through construction materials with lower embodied carbon. By choosing low-rise infill, we’re not just building homes; we’re creating vibrant, sustainable, equitable communities. #UrbanPlanning #HousingForecasting #CommunityDevelopment #SmartGrowth #MunicipalPlanning #BuildingIN #UrbanDevelopment #InfillSolutions #SustainableCities

An example below of what people think about the current #SnowsfieldsQuarter proposals. We are working hard to make them better and are encouraged by the increasingly constructive response from Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation REEF and especially Oxford Properties Group's excellent Emma Downey. It's hard to rebuild trust destroyed by Kanda Consulting but we are trying. Note that this (below) isn't a We❤️Snowsfields comment. We don't know the author but it was just posted this week on the Southwark Council planning website. It's interesting how the ideas of #DontWasteBuildings are being picked up by the public before the policy makers. Leanne Tritton Will Hurst Richard Nelson Will Arnold https://lnkd.in/e8drayjm "Building is way out of scale for the surrounding residential area. 15 stories is ginormous and will shadow neighbouring properties and will add further density area. High-rise buildings are built largely of steel and concrete and are less sustainable than low-rise and mid-rise buildings built largely of wood; steel and concrete. Low- and mid-rise (up to 6 floor) building would be much more enabling of community continuing in the area, and the planet. https://lnkd.in/d54zdhkn https://lnkd.in/dpAeTCF The current proposal doesn't outline sustainable goals or development for site. Demolition is one of the worst things that can happen for the planet - the existing built fabric, with carbon already spent on its production, should provide the base from which to build, the council and development should be demanding an end to demolition culture and a shift towards regenerative urbanism. Any new building or retrofits should be made using sustainable methods such as retrofitting and timber construction to reduce noise disruption. There is no need for more offices in the area, there is a continual striping of space and community resources in exchange for new offices - when there is a shortage of homes and a housing crisis."

New Resource! Are you looking to bring Passive House codes to your jurisdiction but need a little help getting started? Climate Action California has agreed to share their Bill Proposal, Implementing Passive House in Title 24, with the Passive House community. This document serves as an example of Passive House policy language that can be used as a stepping stone to more tailored policy proposals. Check out this resource and more, including our policy brief, "Stepping Up to Passive," on our blog. Read more:https://hubs.ly/Q02m39rx0 #architecture #certifiedpassivehouse #cityplanning #climateaction #comfort #decarbonization #design #energyefficiency #policy #realestate #sustainability

Great leadership by Emily Young! The recent research by Property Council WA, highlighted in a great article by Kim Macdonald, shows that our density and infill development is significantly lower compared to our eastern states counterparts. It's time for all levels of government to take this seriously and shift our mindset towards urban infill, architectural excellence, and alternative sustainable construction. Greater density creates many ancillary benefits for a community, such as activation, eyes on the street, a feeling of safety, and support for small businesses. Let's move away from the 'slash, cut and fill' land subdivision mentality and embrace the benefits of urban infill. #urbaninfill #architectualexcellence #alternativesustainableconstruction Kim Macdonald Emily Young #limniospropertygroup #limnioslife #limniosrealestate #propertydevelopment

The Benefits Of Repurposing Existing Commercial / Industrial Buildings Into Housing Repurposing existing commercial or industrial buildings into housing offers a range of benefits that can positively impact communities, the environment, and the economy. Here are the primary benefits: 1. Addressing Housing Shortages Increased Housing Supply: Converting underutilised commercial spaces into residential units can help alleviate housing shortages, particularly in urban areas where land for new construction is scarce. Affordable Housing Opportunities: These projects can include affordable housing units, making it easier for people of varying income levels to find housing. 2. Sustainable Development Reduced Environmental Impact: Adaptive reuse minimises the environmental impact associated with demolition and new construction. Reusing existing structures reduces construction waste and the need for new building materials. Energy Efficiency Improvements: Upgrading old buildings with modern insulation, windows, and sustainable heating systems can significantly improve energy efficiency. 3. Economic Revitalisation Neighborhood Revitalization: Repurposing commercial buildings can breathe new life into declining areas, attracting new residents, businesses, and investments. Job Creation: These projects create jobs during the construction phase and can stimulate long-term employment through the growth of local businesses and services catering to new residents. 4. Preservation of Architectural Heritage Historic Preservation: Many repurposed buildings are historic structures. Converting them into housing preserves architectural heritage and maintains the cultural fabric of neighborhoods. Cultural Value: Preserving iconic buildings retains the unique character and identity of a city or neighborhood. 5. Efficient Use of Resources Infrastructure Utilisation: Existing commercial buildings often have well-developed infrastructure, such as transportation links, utilities, and public services, making them ideal candidates for residential conversion. Conclusion Repurposing existing commercial buildings into housing offers a myriad of benefits that extend beyond simply increasing the housing supply. It promotes sustainable development, economic revitalisation, and historic preservation while making efficient use of existing resources. By addressing both environmental and social needs, adaptive reuse projects can create vibrant, resilient communities and contribute significantly to urban development and revitalisation. https://lnkd.in/e2Xzku56 #repurposingbuildings #renovation #retrofit #energyretrofit #insulation #architects #refurbprojects #refurb

We have joined forces with other leading industry figures in supporting a crucial initiative led by the Good Homes Alliance, Bioregional, LETI, and the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC).   Last week, we put our name to a letter to Michael Gove, expressing our collective concern over current proposals that fall short of the urgent action required to meet our #carbonreduction targets. By uniting with respected architects and consultants, we stand firm in our belief that without significant changes, these measures will not only fail to achieve our immediate carbon goals but also necessitate extensive future #retrofitting to align with necessary carbon reductions.   Our commitment to responsible design compels us to advocate for more effective solutions that ensure a greener, more sustainable future. Find out more about the Future Homes Standard Consultation Response through the link in the comments.   #ECEArchitecture #SustainableDesign #CarbonReduction #FutureBuilding

The Benefits Of Repurposing Existing Commercial / Industrial Buildings Into Housing Repurposing existing commercial or industrial buildings into housing offers a range of benefits that can positively impact communities, the environment, and the economy. Here are the primary benefits: 1. Addressing Housing Shortages Increased Housing Supply: Converting underutilised commercial spaces into residential units can help alleviate housing shortages, particularly in urban areas where land for new construction is scarce. Affordable Housing Opportunities: These projects can include affordable housing units, making it easier for people of varying income levels to find housing. 2. Sustainable Development Reduced Environmental Impact: Adaptive reuse minimises the environmental impact associated with demolition and new construction. Reusing existing structures reduces construction waste and the need for new building materials. Energy Efficiency Improvements: Upgrading old buildings with modern insulation, windows, and sustainable heating systems can significantly improve energy efficiency. 3. Economic Revitalisation Neighborhood Revitalization: Repurposing commercial buildings can breathe new life into declining areas, attracting new residents, businesses, and investments. Job Creation: These projects create jobs during the construction phase and can stimulate long-term employment through the growth of local businesses and services catering to new residents. 4. Preservation of Architectural Heritage Historic Preservation: Many repurposed buildings are historic structures. Converting them into housing preserves architectural heritage and maintains the cultural fabric of neighborhoods. Cultural Value: Preserving iconic buildings retains the unique character and identity of a city or neighborhood. 5. Efficient Use of Resources Infrastructure Utilisation: Existing commercial buildings often have well-developed infrastructure, such as transportation links, utilities, and public services, making them ideal candidates for residential conversion. Conclusion Repurposing existing commercial buildings into housing offers a myriad of benefits that extend beyond simply increasing the housing supply. It promotes sustainable development, economic revitalisation, and historic preservation while making efficient use of existing resources. By addressing both environmental and social needs, adaptive reuse projects can create vibrant, resilient communities and contribute significantly to urban development and revitalisation. https://lnkd.in/ecm4VEcq #repurposingbuildings #renovation #retrofit #energyretrofit #insulation #architects #refurbprojects #refurb

In the face of the climate crisis, doing nothing is not an option. Our director, Reade Dixon, emphasises, "We have an obligation, a moral contract – the worst thing we could do is do nothing in a climate crisis." This belief drives our practice, where we see every aspect of our work through the lens of this pressing issue. Our approach to architecture goes beyond individual projects; it’s about resolving issues that affect communities, cities, and the environment. We are not merely interested in big ideas but in meaningful action. We are committed to designing architecture that not only minimises negative impacts but makes a positive contribution to the world around us. Wellness at all scales underpins our projects, and as Reade puts it, "We are re-designing a system, a construction methodology." A key area where we are making strides is in the use of mass timber in construction. With the building and construction industry responsible for more than a third of all carbon emissions, we must look for innovative solutions. By using timber, which captures carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the building elements, we are inverting the carbon diagram—from carbon creation to carbon capture and sequestration. This is architecture of consequence, where the materials we choose help combat the very crisis we are facing. Our commitment to making a positive impact goes beyond the materials we use. In South Perth at C6, we collaborated with cultural partner Elder Oral McGuire to draw on the area’s pre-settlement history, informing our approach to the public realm. Our proposal for a Banksia woodland aims to re-establish the black cockatoo’s habitat, blending cultural heritage with ecological restoration. As the tallest hybrid mass timber building in the world, C6 will sequester 10.5 million kg of carbon, showcasing the substantial environmental benefits of mass timber. The use of sustainably regrown timber further underscores our dedication to regenerative design. At Fraser & Partners, we are not passive. We lead, educate, and demonstrate through our work, ensuring that architecture serves not just the present, but the future. Our legacy is one of meaningful action, contributing to communities, cities, and the environment in a way that transcends the traditional boundaries of design. #architecture #climatepositive

Hey folks! Have you ever wondered how the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle impacts our work as architects and urban planners? Well, let’s dive into it! The ENSO cycle, which includes El Niño and La Niña events, plays a significant role in global climate patterns. Recently, we’ve transitioned from an El Niño phase to neutral conditions, and a La Niña phase is expected to set in soon. This cycle is crucial for farmers worldwide, but it’s also super relevant for us in the architecture and urban planning field. Why, you ask? Here’s the scoop: Climate Impact: The ENSO cycle affects weather patterns, leading to changes in rainfall and atmospheric pressure. These changes can lead to more extreme weather events, impacting the suitability of certain building materials and the overall design of buildings and urban spaces. Sustainability and Resilience: Understanding the ENSO cycle can help us design buildings and cities that are more resilient to these weather changes. This could include designing buildings that can withstand heavy rainfall or drought, or planning urban spaces that can manage increased rainfall and prevent flooding. Energy Efficiency: Changes in weather patterns can also impact a building’s energy efficiency. For example, a building designed to stay cool in a typically hot climate may struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures during a cooler-than-usual La Niña period. Understanding these patterns can help in the design of more energy-efficient buildings. Community Planning: On a larger scale, we need to consider the potential impacts of the ENSO cycle on infrastructure and community planning. This could include considerations for road maintenance during heavy rains, the placement and design of parks and green spaces to manage excess water, and community resources for extreme weather events. Understanding the ENSO cycle and its impacts can help us design and plan in a way that works with our changing climate, leading to safer, more resilient, and more sustainable buildings and communities. #ENSO #ClimateChange #Architecture #UrbanPlanning #Sustainability #Resilience #EnergyEfficiency

A few days ago Philip Oldfield, a Professor of Architecture at UNSW Built Environment Research in Sydney, made a critical observation on X regarding a housing project in Western Sydney, Australia. The primary concern raised by Oldfield was the potential for extreme #urban #heat due to the design and materials used in the project, commonly referred to as the #UrbanHeatIsland (UHI) effect. “An urban heat disaster waiting to happen”, he called it. An interesting case with several solutions as well fortunately. https://lnkd.in/eNXk5wd3