Good Building Book

Jon Broome trained as an architect but is now a designer, enabler and self-builder. Previously Director of Architype, he now lives in London, where he runs his own consultancy specialising in sustainable construction. Nick Grant is a freelance energy consultant and principal of Elemental Solutions. One of the UK pioneers of Passivhaus Standard, he is an active contributor to discussions on sustainable design as well as a practical engineer and self builder.

An expansive and insightful read. Years of experience pulls together the interconnected threads of design and building with rare clarity. Mandatory reading for everyone in our design practice – building is too important to leave to the experts. This book gives insight to allow everyone to engage in changing what and how we build, for the better.

• Introduction 1.0 Design 1.1 What is a good building? An introduction to the key principles of good buildings1.2 Beauty, utility and economy in action Archives and museums provide useful insight1.3 Buildings as sculpture When form overrides function to produce bad buildings1.4 Eco-bling – innovation and aspiration Aspiration and innovation can bring questionable results1.5 Problem-solving designs The features of a good building design process1.6 The search for quality What the designer must bring to the process – the need for care1.7 A modern vernacular Four principles coming together to shape a process for designing and producing good buildings1.8 The modern vernacular in action Applying the four principles in action in the field of housing design1.9 Self-build Lessons from an approach to housing more akin to the idea of a modern vernacular1.10 Sustainable neighbourhoods How the principles we have learnt from housing can inform good places, towns and cities 2.0 Reducing energy 2.1 Comfort and sufficiency Both important considerations, but what kind of 'comfort' and how much space do we need?2.2 Closing the performance gap Why many buildings do not achieve their planned minimum-emission performance2.3 Form factor, massing and shape How size and shape are often fixed before detailed cost, energy or structural analysis are performed2.4 Environmental modelling and targets Numbers and targets are crucial to an understanding of how to improve the performance of buildings2.5 Passive solar design Shifting the focus from passive solar gains to glazing design to serve the comfort and of occupants2.6 Why Passivhaus? The benefits, limitations and myths surrounding the use of this highly effective building standard2.7 Buildings must breathe Draught-free construction – and the resulting need for moisture and odour control – are essential 3.0 Low environmental impact construction 3.1 Heavyweight or lightweight? Advantages and disadvantages of both approaches and some myths explored3.2 Upfront carbon emissions How to reduce emissions arising from the act of construction, alongside other environmental impacts3.3 The more details, the more devils Principles for detailing to create robust buildings that achieve design, performance and sustainability aims3.4 Elements of good building Approaches to the design of foundations, raised ground-floor construction, non-loadbearing walls, flat roof construction and windows3.5 Services Efficient building services should be integrated into the design from an early stage 4.0 The business of building 4.1 Land Focusing on the issue of land ownership and value, huge influencers on what is built4.2 Design education and post-occupancy evaluation How to acquire the skills, knowledge and values designers need; learning what works and what doesn't4.3 Cost and value Why do costs vary? Who benefits from value? How to reduce uncertainty and control costs4.4 Value engineering in design Understanding how buildings perform and learning from experience4.5 Appointing a design team and contractors A constructive approach to finding the right team and managing costs, quality and time4.6 Risk management and regulation Risks that cannot be avoided and how to mitigate them, and the uses and limitations of regulation Afterword Notes on the authors Chapter notes Photo credits Acknowledgements Index