Our work investigates how material and industrial cultures shape the world and challenges the regulations, supply chains and processes that to a large extent prescribe how the buildings we inhabit are made, function and feel. We think this can change and needs to change at speed. Modern methods of construction have the capacity to transform the way in which things are built and offer the space to generate new forms of culture in the construction industry.
Through our work we have demonstrated that low carbon local materials can be more affordable and durable than globally-sourced, petrochemical-derivative materials, and are capable of comfortably meeting and outperforming industry standards. The material resources on which our futures are dependent – softwood timber, stone, clay, lime, plant fibres and shiv – can be grown and sourced across the UK and their production is low intensity. As reducing embodied carbon becomes normal, and as oil prices rise and we look towards a future where the UK will need to rebuild its manufacturing economy and make commitments to a low carbon approach.
