Welcome to the NHBC Foundation

NHBC's independent research institution - the NHBC Foundation - was established in January 2006 in partnership with the BRE Trust. Focusing on the new homes industry it facilitates research and development, technology and knowledge sharing, and the capture of industry best practice.

The Zero Carbon agenda

The NHBC Foundation has, throughout 2007, delivered a programme of practical, high quality research, targeting areas where it is needed most, in particular addressing the sustainability and zero carbon agendas. In the coming months this focus will continue alongside research encompassing the core gap analysis - identifying where the industry needs research work most - and issues such as sound transmission, fire safety and air tightness.

Research and promoting best practice

The Foundation promotes best practice to help builders, developers and the industry respond to the country’s wider housing needs. It also supports house builders in developing strong relationships with their customers.

The Foundation Chairman

The Rt. Hon. Nick Raynsford MP, former housing minister, is the inaugural and current Foundation Chairman. Mr Raynsford brings a wealth of experience in industry and politics to the role and this has been valuable in facilitating discussion at all levels between the industry and Westminster. In addition the Foundation has been positively engaged at a regional level with development agencies.

NHBC Foundation Piling Research Project

Arup is currently working on a research project for the NHBC Foundation investigating the efficiency of the design and construction of piled foundations for low-rise housing. There are benefits to be gained from an improved pile design. A more efficient and economical pile design could save on construction costs and programme, and also lead to potential reductions in natural resource consumption and waste requiring off site disposal, thus providing real contributions to achieving sustainable construction.

The aim is to develop a design approach, supplemented by appropriate investigation and construction controls that can demonstrate economic and environmental advantages.

To assist with this process we need as much feedback as possible. It would be appreciated if you could find the time to complete the questionnaire by clicking on the following web link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=m7yz5Xu9Gs231d9vaV0Dsw_3d_3d
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Click here to download the Foundation's latest research publication.