Research from consulting engineers Arup shows that before the end of the century global warming will mean that many homes and offices in the UK will become unbearably hot for a significant proportion of the year.

The report, commissioned by the DTIs Partners in Innovation Programme, says that in less than twenty years homes built to existing regulations will be uncomfortably warm to live in during summer. And by 2080 some offices will have an internal temperature of over 28°C for a quarter of the year. The worst performing buildings in the report were 1960s style lightweight offices with windows providing the only means of ventilation and cooling.

The report was compiled using computer modelling and data from the UK Climate Impacts Programme to project temperature rises in the UK due to global warming.

Gavin Davies, associate director at Arup R&D, says that serious rethinking is needed to cope with increasing temperatures. “Developers should expect more and be more demanding of all design teams, requesting them to deliver low energy, comfortable designs that withstand climate change.”

Arup’s recommendations include using smart building management to reduce heat gain by turning off lights and equipment when not needed; using blinds and shading; using exposed materials with high thermal mass. The report also says that we need to examine current work dress codes, consider flexible working or longer summer holidays and sending staff home during hot spells.

Source

Building Sustainable Design