Experts discuss housebuilding trends for 2021

Although we’ve started 2021 with another lockdown, UK housebuilding, in line with the wider sector continues to operate. Yes, current circumstances are challenging but there are plenty of opportunities for developers to seize, from improving their business to exploring new markets.

So, as the new year gets underway in earnest, we ask a number of industry players what they predict the next twelve months will hold for the sector.

2021 predictions for the Construction Sector

“There’s been plenty of discussion around how we mitigate climate change through building design and products, but I believe 2021 will see a greater focus on how we adapt to it. Material choices will play an important role as we look to passive options, moving away from mechanical HVAC to better manage warmer summers and cooler, damper winters.

“Further, utilising thermal mass to also heat buildings will not only deliver a comfortable, more energy efficient, solution, it will significantly reduce CO2 emissions and ensure lower utility bills for owners, occupants and residents alike. Another emerging option is to consider conduction heating, an emerging technology which can harness the potential of a buildings mass to deliver a minimal impact, low-cost heating solution with almost zero emissions.” –  Chris Stanley, Housing Manager, Modern Masonry

Sustainability, green spaces and covid-19 to influence trends

“The back garden will become an extension of the living room. Not only will we see homeowners and landlords undertake renovation work to ‘evergreen’ these outdoor spaces, we’ll also see architects and developers give more careful consideration on how to enhance these areas. This will add value for the resident and allow the vendor to upsell on new features such as smart tech, outdoor heating systems and quality furniture, packaged up as part of the sale or rental package.”

“Landscaped communal areas will no doubt be reappraised in both new builds and existing properties. Coronavirus will prompt layout changes to limit close proximity and, no doubt, instigate a rise in more comfortably furnished, sheltered and sustainably heated areas where small groups can gather outdoors in a low-risk setting.” – Matthew Fagg, Brand Manager, Barlow Tyrie

“Housebuilding has a poor legacy when it comes to dealing with waste plastic and more effort/investment needs to be made into reusing and repurposing this material. Landfill’s no longer an option and, where we can, we need to find low-impact, practical solutions for what we can recycle.

“We’ll see more sustainable systems, fixtures, fittings and components which make use of recyclable plastic and its many advantageous properties coming online. However, it all starts with the specifier. They must step up in earnest and make a better business case for green construction, so far we’ve had a lot of talk, now we need action, especially if we have any hope of meeting our 2050 net-zero targets.” – Charlie Ayers, Managing Director, SureCav

“Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), is set to dominate residential construction in 2021, with huge advances being made over the last few years. Now the focus is beginning to shift towards commercial structures, particularly as COVID-19 has fostered a sea change, with more and more people moving to a work-from-home and flexible office space model.”

“Companies such as Modulr Space Ltd are starting to offer imaginative and attractive at-home office environments which can be produced volumetrically, on any scale. This can accommodate for the needs of a self-employed creative to a massive conglomerate. Quality-controlled, sustainable and flexible, modular has great potential to provide the solution for a new world of work.” – Rachel Davis, Director, Perega

Time will tell

As you can see, it’s a mixed bag, but one thing’s for certain, we are seeing UK housebuilding undergoing a revolution, including a more concerted effort to embrace new technology, a more earnest drive toward sustainability and a greater appreciation of the benefits offered by apprenticeships.

If nothing else, 2020 has provided a catalyst for the industry to think in a smarter, more thorough and agile way. The big test will be to see whether the lessons and knowledge accrued during these anomalous times will be harnessed and used to improve practices and processes across the board. We guess only time will tell!

Courtesy of Showhouse magazine

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