Nick James: Architect on Board

With Nick James, Senior Technical Manager at Lifestory Group

The evolving property industry continues to transform its counterpart sectors as we collectively move towards a sustainable future. Moreover, developers, architects and actors within the construction industry are at the front and centre of the shaping of our new world, quite literally laying the foundations of our future homes and workplaces. Currently, the players within the realm of construction contribute 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions; 11% globally. The responsibility of creating a future built environment that minimises this damage should not be taken lightly. By consequence, the pressure upon the architectural sector to resolve problems before they arise has extended into new territory.?

At Lifestory, we continue to pride ourselves on the relationships we’re able to build with those who interact with our business. The architects and engineer consultants we partner with become extended members of our development team, sharing our desire to create spaces with integrity and ahead of the curve in terms of sustainability and adaptability. That being said, more so now than ever, the skillset of our internal team allows for a holistic view of the elements that we may have previously solely contracted others to lead on. In an increasingly uncertain societal climate, a capacity for interconnectedness with more voices of reason at the table can only be a good thing. In specific relation to architectural design, the very basis of our business, the quality of? our developments is found in the smallest details; we’re building people’s future homes, moreover we have a duty to take the necessary steps to safeguard the future at large.?

The making of great architecture is not measured by a faultless development process - human nature and the nature of our industry could never allow for such events. Instead, great architecture can be understood by a design’s capacity to resolve its own issues as and when they occur; a sketch that seamlessly explores and rectifies situations before they occur. As we adapt our approach ahead of the rising debate regarding energy and embodied carbon, answers must be offered before the questions are asked. Simply put, it is no longer good enough to have the conversations about design changes to secure the future of carbon neutrality in our industry. It could be argued that everyone’s skillset is relevant to sustainability in this day and age, and the upcoming Building Regulation changes? set in legislation in June 2022 are less about problem-solving and more of a call to arms for the construction industry to research and develop new solutions to the carbon problem. Truthfully, we are all facing the same situation, and as architects and developers alike, must align our ideas, not pit them against each other as selling points and competitive advantages. The authentic desire for future-proofing our planet first, and our industry second, must ring true across the sector. As with most things in life, this must come from a natural desire to do and be better; we all have areas for progression to be made, whether that be aligned with energy efficiency or innovative technology ahead of legislation amends, or simply going back to basics and reevaluating how our materials are made and where they come from

Separately, the essence of creating inviting spaces for people to enjoy spending time remains the simplest but most important element of our business. Despite the changes in political climate and scope for development to rise up to the necessity for complete environmental consciousness, we as curators of such spaces must continue to put the people at the centre of our ideas, balancing leading innovation of our industry with complete care for the smaller details that should be considered at the outset of home design. Although seemingly obvious, the niche moments of life can be overlooked in the design stages if coming from a standpoint of prioritising ergonomics, tenures and logistics. The coordination of a development that is going to become a community for people to truly thrive, begins with the pencil and paper, the architect and their vision, for the people who are one day going to call the space home. When that authentic drive is truly apparent, and it is at Lifestory, the future of our industry is in safe hands.?