Overheating is a subject we are all suffering from here and now in the current heatwave. Heat induced failure is a problem we are all actively aware of and struggling to cope with in everyday life. We are simply not prepared in the UK to cope with 36–38-degree temperatures and the likelihood is that this will be 40 degrees in 2027 or 2028!

Buildings with thermally poor qualities are commonplace and the investment in infrastructure to manage these increases in heat are woefully behind where we need to be. Whilst construction standards in the UK are governed by building regulations, we have the skills and knowledge to deliver standards way above legislation as proven by practitioners of Passivhaus and AECB building standards. There is a step change in attitude and investment required to future proof not only buildings to cope with these ever-higher temperatures, but a desperate need for this to be matched in improved infrastructure.

Adoption of such standards is inevitably going to take some time. Many will only choose to raise standards if they are fully aware of the financial benefits, payback and whole life value and if they manage to ignore the naysayers and negative noise! The level of incorrect information out there is astonishing, and this negativity and scepticism is often fuelled by convention, fear of change and the inevitable influence from oil related industry pressures who have the ears at Westminster. We also have to realise that industry leaders do not want us to improve things and consider change when they are making huge profits delivering poor performing homes. However, they do achieve building reg approval which is obviously a confusing message.

We need public perception to change and of course this is directly driven by scepticism and scaremongering that change is not worth the cost to deliver better performing buildings and infrastructure. If you live in an historic building with high thermal mass or a super insulated modern home, all this hot a bother will seem confusing, but the norm and reality is overheating in anything above 25 degrees, let alone 36 or more!

Here at ep architects, we apply building physics and simple pragmatic principles in the design process to deliver resilient environments for us all to live, work and play comfortably in. Many of our competitors do not use these processes and whilst may have the best of intentions, simply will only get the solution right by chance, we de-risk, de-mystify and inform the design of the envelope performance through data and real-life case studies. This is often achieved at no extra cost, provided the principles are imbedded from day one.

In chatting with colleagues and industry influencers, one could come to the conclusion that “The recent Heatwave Didn’t Break Our Infrastructure. It Exposed It”. In our opinion this would be hard to deny and sadly will be quite an issue to resolve. Many of us are focussed on improving and future proofing all manner of buildings and infrastructure, but we have to be realistic that most developers and investors will fight shy of this responsibility.

So, whist the climate and rising temperatures are changing we are delivering solutions which fail and are simply no longer solutions. Sticking air-con in these poor performing buildings is a sticking plaster which will accelerate energy use and bills and make the situation worse. Here at ep architects, we hope to work with you to rationally deliver resilient, whole life solutions which respond to this changed climate and create positive impact.

Do you have a situation or problem we can solve to help design better environments? Contact us if you are interested in discussing how we can help you and work together to protect your asset and future-proof your buildings.

Please contact ep architects with any thoughts or questions via: info@eparchitects.design