Launched in January 2006 in partnership with the BRE Trust and chaired by former Housing Minister Rt. Hon. Nick Raynsford MP, the NHBC Foundation was established to facilitate research and development, technology and knowledge sharing and the capture of industry best practice.

Following on from the success of its inaugural project, a web-based resource tool on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and a research document on the same topic, the NHBC Foundation has been targeting the zero carbon and sustainability agendas. It has also been involved in a programme of positive engagements with Government, Development Agencies and other key stakeholders, focusing on the development of the new build sector, and projects underway address a range of industry issues including sound transmission, air tightness and fire safety.

Rt. Hon. Nick Raynsford MP said: “The Foundation continues to deliver pragmatic, delivery-based research and our focus on the zero carbon and sustainability agendas has paid strong dividends with a suite of research addressing legislation such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Government’s broader policy agenda on housing.

“We have also promoted much-need dialogue between housebuilders, regional development agencies and Government on meeting housing and infrastructure needs and developed research addressing density issues.

“I am pleased that we have now launched the National Centre for Excellence in Housing, which I also chair, and delighted the National Centre has been chosen by the joint industry/Government led 2016 Taskforce to oversee zero carbon research.

“As we come to our second anniversary the Foundation’s vision has positioned its work at the heart of the housing agenda and I look forward to the results of our survey on consumer and builder attitudes to zero carbon and sustainability - the largest survey of its kind to date in the UK.”

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

www.homein.org
In response to the industry’s need for clarity on issues such as the adaptability, durability and long-term insurability of MMCs, the first major body of work the NHBC Foundation undertook was the launch of a collaborative website - www.homein.org - dedicated to the best practice use of innovative and non-conventional housing systems, components and technologies. The findings of the research work were published in “A Guide to Modern Methods of Construction” which has been well received by the industry at large.

Following on from the success of this the Foundation has delivered a suite of research findings addressing policy and legislation issues arising from the zero carbon, sustainability and planning density agendas. This includes:

• Conserving Energy and Water, and Minimising Waste – The publication on energy, water and waste comes in the wake of a series of legislative, regulatory announcements and reports from Government at the close of 2006 targeting the house-building industry as a key to reducing carbon emissions. The research has concluded that builders and developers will need to make changes to their processes to meet requirements for reducing waste and conserving energy and water under Government targets.
• Climate Change and Innovation in House Building – Climate change and the zero carbon agenda are inextricably linked and it is important that the potential impacts of climate change are understood to enable lenders, builders and developers to improve their risk management strategies. The Foundation’s “Climate change and innovation in house-building”, research details how climate change presents challenges for managing risk profiles.
• Risks in Domestic Basement Construction – With the Government targets on housing supply and planning targets on density becoming ever more challenging, alongside a growing demand from consumers for family housing, the use of basements is being increasingly considered as an option by builders and developers. The construction of basements has inherent risks relating to water ingress and load-bearing capacity, and the basement construction guide is intended to clarify risk management issues in the construction process.
• Ground Source Heat Pump Systems – Builders and developers looking to gear up to the 2016 zero carbon target have been considering these technologies to reduce energy consumption in heating homes, one of the largest components of the zero carbon equation. With detailing on cost benefits, analysis on construction practices, reliability, maintenance and interfaces with other systems the research makes important strides in addressing the use of ground source energy. Setting out the practicalities and pitfalls associated with this new technology the guide also calls for fresh research in several key areas.

Stakeholder Dinners
In 2006 the Foundation hosted a series of events facilitating dialogue between industry stakeholders concerned with regeneration and the delivery of new housing in the UK.
These included:

Treasury Cross Cutting Review Dinner which brought together officials from the DCLG, HM Treasury, Regional Development Agencies, builders and developers and social housing organisations, to discuss the key financial issues involved in delivering infrastructure for new homes and communities.

EEDA (East of England Development Agency) and the Foundation hosted a policy dinner to enable key figures in the public, private and voluntary sectors to exchange views on development and regeneration in the East of England.

SEEDA (South East of England Development Agency) and the Foundation facilitated a discussion on the regulatory framework and environmental impact of the delivery of more and better homes in the South East.

NHBC FOUNDATION - THE FUTURE

Consumer and Builder Zero Carbon Perception Survey
Continuing its focus on sustainability and the zero carbon agenda the Foundation has launched a major survey of attitudes and understanding among consumers and builders on these issues. Incorporating interviews with hundreds of consumers and more than 100 builders across the UK the research project is the largest in the industry to date to specifically address the targets and drivers outlined by the Government in the Housing Green Paper, Code for Sustainable Homes and related reports and legislation.

Matching its brief to deliver practical research designed to address challenges in the industry, the Foundation’s survey is intended to produce results which will benefit and shape industry thinking on sustainability issues as the Code for Sustainable Homes and the 2016 zero carbon target come ever closer.

In addition there are a range of projects underway for 2007 to help the industry meet the various challenges it faces in delivering higher volumes of affordable and sustainable new homes.

These include:

• “A Review of Microgeneration and Renewable Energy Technologies” - The work has focused on how these technologies will work in and impact on homes and considers the energy implications of building design, fabric and services systems. It will outline the different types of technology currently available, detailing issues they present and their carbon saving benefits.
• Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs) - In line with legislative changes which came into force in 2007, the Foundation is developing a checklist and toolbox talk on SWMPs for builders, providing important guidance on how to implement an effective site waste management plan. With the Code for Sustainable Homes targeting waste as a mandatory aspect this research will lay out a framework for builders and developers to address the relevant issues.
• Drainage Provision for Sustainable Development - A project is currently underway to address improvements in drainage provision for sustainable developments. As well as looking at simple design and construction guidance for soakaways and the feasibility of providing drainage and ground treatment for building the project will also examine the provision of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) for small developments.
• Hydraulic lime mortars in new build – a review of the structural performance of walls in new builds that are constructed from hydraulic lime mortars. This is with a view to producing best practice guidance on this type of mortar’s use and its compliance with regulations, codes and standards.

For further information on the work of NHBC Foundation, and to download PDF versions of all the current research documents, visit www.nhbcfoundation.org

ENDS