About
Purpose, governance and scope
Purpose
The NHBC Foundation was established in 2006. Its purpose is to deliver high-quality research and practical guidance to help the house-building industry address the considerable challenges of delivering 21st-century new homes. The Foundation’s authoritative research publications (reports and guides) have grown over the years into a major resource for practitioners and decision makers across the industry.
The NHBC Foundation’s work has focused primarily on the sustainability agenda, risk management and the consumer. In addition to these areas the Foundation has more recently been giving priority to research on housing supply and work that leads to improved technical guidance for designers and house builders (see Research topics listed on this page).
The NHBC Foundation is also involved in a programme of positive engagement with Government, development agencies, academics and other key stakeholders, focusing on current and pressing issues relevant to the industry.
Research
The NHBC Foundation’s research programme is steered by an Expert Panel of senior representatives from the house-building industry and academia. An internal management team deals with the practical delivery of the research programme and its outputs.
How research topics are selected
New research ideas and proposals are evaluated regularly by the NHBC Foundation Management Team. Priority is given to projects which align with our topics and objectives, and which have maximum potential benefits for the industry. See Research for more details of the project selection process and how you can contribute research ideas.
How projects are funded
NHBC Foundation research is funded by the NHBC. A non-profit distributing company, NHBC is able to re-invest any surplus for the benefit of homeowners and the home-building industry. NHBC’s investment in NHBC Foundation research is one example of its standards-raising activity.
Research outputs – publications
Research reports and publications are all available free for online download. Hardcopy versions of most titles are available on request from nhbcfoundation@nhbc.co.uk.
We welcome feedback on all published reports to nhbcfoundation@nhbc.co.uk
Research topics
To date the NHBC Foundation research programme has addressed the following priority areas:
-
Low Carbon Homes
Research to help the house-building industry deliver to the Government’s low carbon agenda
-
The Consumer
Research to understand how consumers interact with their homes and to encourage effective operation of homes and incorporated technologies
-
Risk Management
Research that helps minimise risks for housebuilders and consumers
-
Housing Supply
Research to shed light on issues that impact on the supply of new homes
-
Technical Guidance
Research that leads to improved technical advice for designers and housebuilders