Welcome to the Buildpass Sustainable Construction Blog

What is Diathonite Thermal Plaster and how can it improve the energy performance, thermal and sound insulation of a building? Read on to find out. Unfortunately, historic buildings are far from the most energy efficient and it can be difficult to improve their carbon and energy performance without damaging the buildings heritage values. With thisRead the full article…

Luxury homes are synonymous with indulgence. With sprawling square footage, high-end finishes and customised amenities, they allow homeowners to live the good life every day. These properties often prioritise comfort, aesthetics and convenience over considerations like environmental impact. Yet in today’s world of climate change and resource scarcity, even luxury homes must find ways toRead the full article…

SKA rating is another way to prove the energy efficiency of your building. Read our latest blog to find out more. Since the UK declared a state of climate emergency in 2019, the construction industry has been tackling a countrywide endeavour to hit net zero by 2050. Here at Buildpass, we’ve talked many times aboutRead the full article…

How do you prepare your home for the impact of unpredictable weather? Find out in our latest blog. Summer 2023 in the UK has been an unpredictable rollercoaster of weather, with the delightful sunshine one minute followed by unexpected downpours the next. These fluctuations in weather extend beyond atmospheric shifts – they hold substantial implicationsRead the full article…

Looking to reduce your home’s carbon footprint? Learn more about some of the most eco-friendly heating options by reading this handy guide from BuildPass!Read the full article…

On December 13 2023, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) released the much anticipated consultation on the Future Homes Standard. The consultation focused on changes to Part 6, Part L and Part F of the building regulations for dwellings and non-domestic buildings, while seeking evidence on Part O. The concept behind theRead the full article…

Read our summary of Ramboll’s 2023 Sustainable Buildings Market Study. As the world races to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the spotlight on sustainable solutions across all sectors intensifies. The built environment stands at the forefront of this movement, being the largest source of carbon emissions after surface transport. The science and statistics clearly showRead the full article…

In the ever-evolving landscape of building regulations and energy efficiency standards, at Buildpass we keep a close eye on the guidelines that shape how the construction industry works. A crucial turning point occurred when SAP 10 was introduced, representing a substantial revision that fundamentally altered our approach to addressing thermal bridging in building design. InRead the full article…

Do you want to play your part in the green agenda and enjoy a more comfortable, financially viable home? Maybe you need a more energy efficient home. Residential properties contribute to almost a sixth of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. This figure is substantial, and a reminder that we all have a part to playRead the full article…

Building, renovating or refurbishing a home is an opportunity many property owners relish. Undertaking this type of home improvement project presents a prime opportunity to revitalise a space. It is a great time to make a home feel more inviting and improve its value with new designs and features that can make it more sustainable.Read the full article…

Baffled by Part O of the Building Regulations? You aren’t alone. Here we explain what we really think about Building Regulations Part O (Overheating). There’s a lot of talk about Part O of the Building Regulations – talk that’s been going on for some time since it was first mentioned in December 2021. The apparentRead the full article…

We look back at the core themes, challenges and opportunities that have influenced the energy sector in the past year. Every year, we like to take a look back at what’s happened within the world of sustainable energy – the shake ups, the plateaus and everything in between. And this year has certainly been aRead the full article…

With a frosty drop in temperature and still soaring energy costs, you’re probably wondering how you can cut back on the bills (while still staying toasty). Here we explore winter energy saving myths. While the winter season – and the countdown to Christmas – brings with it plenty of joy, festivities and copious opportunities toRead the full article…

Here at Buildpass, we try to stay at the forefront of sustainable construction and the latest updates in the industry. A topic of significant attention at the moment is the elusive net-zero goals for 2050: specifically, that recent findings from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) suggest that it may be falling short of its government-backedRead the full article…

Exciting news for the sustainable construction industry as Nottingham Trent University (NTU) invests £1.5 million into a brand new Centre for Sustainable Construction and Retrofit. After recent knocks to the sustainable construction industry following Rishi Sunak’s back pedal on the green agenda, some good news on the future of eco-friendly builds was much needed. WeRead the full article…

Modular construction techniques, where parts of a building are prefabricated offsite before being transported and assembled on location, have proven to be popular with building companies and renovation experts over the years.  Modular construction: A greener and efficient alternative to traditional building methods This construction method often promises faster project completion times, greater quality control,Read the full article…

Rishi Sunak’s recent policy shift weakens the government’s green policy commitments – and the impact cannot be underestimated. Here, Buildpass investigates.  Last month, Rishi Sunak announced that the Conservative government would be rolling back on some of their key green policies as part of a major policy shift. A new think-tank report noted that thisRead the full article…

Is building to net zero on your agenda, but you aren’t really sure where to start? Read on to learn how a CPD in Net Zero Construction could be the perfect route for you. In the world of construction and architecture, the concept of Net Zero has taken centre stage, captivating the attention of professionalsRead the full article…

What is the whole life-cycle carbon assessment guidance? Read on to find out. In an era where more and more of us are embracing environmental consciousness, it has never been more important to prioritise sustainability in the construction industry. The built environment is responsible for about 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions, and is thereforeRead the full article…

A new proposed update to the BREEAM standards suggests that buildings designed to use less energy during peak periods could be incentivised. Read on to find out more. On the 24th of May, BRE launched a public consultation, highlighting changes to its widely-used sustainability assessment method. The method will be Version 7 of the BREEAMRead the full article…

Working on a non domestic building project? You may need SBEM calculations. Read on to find out more. SBEM, which stands for Simplified Building Energy Model, is a set of calculations that are used by the government to measure the energy performance of both existing and new non-dwellings/commercial properties. By taking into account the size,Read the full article…

Are you working on a retrofit or refurbishment of a commercial building? Then PAS 2038 is an absolute must! Read on for our guide on PAS 2038, what it is and why you need it. In the sustainable construction industry, we like to talk about retrofits. It’s become a buzzword in the energy world becauseRead the full article…

Re-roofing your home? Here are 5 ways to make your roof more energy efficient. Replacing an existing roof with a brand new, greener roof is a great way to work on your overall energy efficiency and costs. And especially since 25% of a home’s heat is lost through a roof, it really does present anRead the full article…

When we think about the climate crisis, we typically think of plastic waste, pollution from factories and the number of cars on the road. But how often do we consider the buildings we live and work in every day?  Climate change is a major design problem for the architectural and construction industries right now. TheRead the full article…

Learn all you need to know about the intricate and popular world of Passivhaus in our latest blog. Described as the mecca for all energy and sustainability consultants, Passivhaus, (otherwise known as Passive House) is one of the world’s leading energy efficiency standards and construction concepts. It’s been made to advise the industry on howRead the full article…