A sustained attack

Sustainability is at the top of the government's agenda at the moment. The industry is being bombarded with reports on how to use fewer natural resources and a sustainable buildings code has been proposed that will force designers of public sector buildings and social housing to specify sustainable materials. English and Konu Architects had a taste of things to come when it attempted to turn its award-winning design into a sustainable development for Notting Hill Housing Group. The result is impressive, but specification issues meant the architects did not always get their own way. Also this month, Checklist has a close look at photovoltaic panels and an architect dares to question the specification of timber cladding in Products.