Sustainability is a core topic and key consideration within the built environment. But what role does time have to play? Here, Aimee Fletcher, Product and Design Manager at EGGER UK, explores the concept of sustainable future design in more detail…

When it comes to sustainability and constructing the greener homes of the future, it’s not enough to just look at how a building product or material is manufactured. While the raw materials and production processes are integral to its environmental credentials, true sustainability goes far behind that, requiring a careful consideration of the future.

Sustainable future design, or designing for the future, is about more than just a box ticking exercise – it’s about changing the way we think. It’s on us as manufacturers, specifiers, housebuilders and developers to ensure that our building finishes and aesthetics remain on trend for longer, that the products and systems being specified are built to last, and that interior living spaces are designed with ergonomics in mind.

Timeless trends

From flooring to built-in bedroom furniture and kitchen cabinetry, these are the exciting finishing touches chosen by a homeowner. With the rise of social media and the digital world, the desire to be ‘on trend’ is more prevalent than ever, having a strong influence on purchasing decisions. No one wants to invest in a new kitchen, for example, only for it to look tired and dated after just a couple of years. Indeed, with all the work and resources that have gone into its production, you will want it to remain inuse for as long as possible. With this in mind, opting for timeless aesthetics when it comes to flooring, builtin furniture and cabinetry is invaluable. As well as providing longevity to the space, ensuring it remains ‘on trend’ for longer, it also ensures the carbon contained within the products and materials is locked away for longer. One safe bet is biophilic design – a trend that is clearly here to stay – and its nuances of natural looking finishes like timeless stones and elegant wood effects. In fact, when you consider that the very word ‘sustainability’ often conjures up images of nature, the outdoors, leaves and trees, biophilic design really is the perfect match.

At EGGER, our focus is on curating collections and colour concepts that can be easily combined and updated, creating a harmonious, complementary and on trend look throughout a home.

Quality that is built to last

Whether it’s a new home or new kitchen, either is a significant investment by the buyer. As such, it’s important that the finishes provided stand the test of time. Specifying quality materials and products is another way you can indirectly deliver on sustainability, providing long-lasting, reliable performance. This mindset is particularly important when you consider the time invested into timber products. While wood is an inherently renewable and natural material, the trees we are planting now won’t be ready to harvest and use within manufacturing for another 40-50 years.

Today’s forestry teams are really out working for the future of the built environment. With trees taking such a significant length of time to grow to maturity, it’s only right that we are making a product from this investment that mirrors its longevity and continues to lock away carbon for decades to come.

Designing for future users

Thinking about the end user is an obvious part of housebuilding and interior design, but this shouldn’t be limited to just today’s end user. What about 10, 20 or even 30 years down the line; how will their needs have changed? This is where ergonomics should be considered, the scientific discipline that involves designing products and environments to match the individuals who use them.

It’s no secret that we have an aging population. In 2026, 26% of the population will be over 65 and by 2050, the world’s 60+ population will account for over two billion people. This raises the question of how can we ensure we are designing homes today that are fit for these future generations?

By designing with functionality, accessibility and use-ability in mind, it not only increases the longer-term use of the furniture or space (linking back to. sustainable futures), but it can also support healthier aging outcomes for the users. By adopting the mindset that design inspiration cannot come at the cost of functionality, we are truly contributing to legacy pieces of household furniture.

Looking to the future

It’s no longer enough to just examine a product’s environmental credentials. Instead, it’s important to ask other questions of it, including how long it will last? Is it suitable for today’s users or also someone 20 years down the line? Is the colour on trend and will it remain a timeless aesthetic?

At EGGER, longevity is at the core of everything we do – not just from an environmental perspective but also from that of design, production and functionality. Learn more about our decorative solutions for flooring, furniture and surfaces online or by visiting our EGGER LONDON showroom at 1 Dallington Street, London, EC1V 0BH.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/dbh028

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“The kitchen is evolving from a place of function to a place of feeling.” That’s the view of prominent author and futurist William Higham, who shared his thoughts with delegates at an event called The Future Kitchen in London earlier this year. It was hosted by Middleby Residential, whose brands include Aga, La Cornue and Novy, and Mr Higham – the author of the book, ‘The Next Big Thing – Forecasting Consumer Trends for Profit’ – explained how the home was becoming a cocoon, shielding us from the anxiety and uncertainty in the world today.

“The kitchen is becoming the (home’s) social hub – a place to work, eat, talk and share. It’s no longer just a functional space; it’s an emotional one,” he said, predicting that future kitchen layouts would reflect the growing emphasis on sociability, with larger, more flexible spaces blurring the boundaries between cooking, dining and living zones even more than now.

It’s a view that has captured the attention of Reginox UK Commercial Director, Dave Mayer, who says: “It’s a trend we are seeing being increasingly recognised by housebuilders, who can see the importance of the kitchen as a social hub in a new build home, so they are actually beginning to create larger spaces in response consumer demand for open kitchen and living areas.”

Reginox’s constantly evolving range of sinks and taps is driven by paying close attention to consumers’ desires and those of professionals in the sectors it serves – housebuilders, developers, contractors, specifiers, B2B KBB suppliers, DIY retailers, multi-outlet merchants and kitchen furniture manufacturers.

“I strongly believe it’s that customercentric mindset that makes us a major player in the UK – and international – kitchen, building and project markets,” adds Dave.

“We have an unparalleled product offering, and I strive to ensure that our team offer our customers the best quality products and prices all backed up by our service-driven approach that means we operate with a ‘complete, on-time, every time’ philosophy.”

And while housebuilders are recognising the demand for bigger kitchen/living areas, people living in new builds with smaller kitchen areas are also fuelling the trend by knocking walls down and/or having extensions built.

A 2024 report showed that more than 45% of UK homeowners renovated their kitchen to be more open, with a third opting for a completely open-plan design, according to Houzz, the project management, ideas and design website for homeowners and trades.

New collection with futuristic appeal

Another futuristic prediction suggested by Mr Higham is a shift to softer aesthetics, natural materials and designs that invite people to connect with, and enjoy, their surroundings, declaring that ‘luxury is no longer about status or price’ but a more ‘personal, nurturing idea of home’.

Dave Mayer: “Regardless of space, every kitchen consumer and designer is looking to create a wow factor, and I think our range of sinks and taps has a role to play in a kitchen of any size. But, of course, any wow factor calls for quality combined with style.”

The newest addition to the Reginox UK sinks range is a collection of granite sinks designed and manufactured in Italy by one of its long-standing partners. The Reginox-branded Elite Granite Collection offers high-quality, coloured materials combined with stylish designs and differing shapes, bowl and drainer patterns, made up of two different materials – ALTEQ and SYNTEQ.

ALTEQ is a composition of natural granite and acrylic resin, made to exploit the natural essence of quartz. Created through a specialised process, using fully coloured granite particles, ALTEQ sinks are easy to clean, timeless, durable and versatile, with a high resistance to shock and temperature changes.

Innovation is at the vanguard of our SYNTEQ sinks too. It is recognisable by its ease of cleaning with a smooth, zeroporous water and stain repellent surface that provides high resistance to thermal shock and impact, abrasion and UV radiation.

Dave Mayer: “The granite collection reflects our understanding of the importance of hassle-free maintenance and easy cleaning, and our dedication to providing customers with products that combine style, functionality, and durability at competitive prices.”

Models in the collection include

SYNTEQ’S BEST and MULTA, while the ALTEQ collections features QUADRA, EGO and EASY – all with long guarantees. The newly branded granite collections take the current Reginox UK range to 150 sinks in various materials, sizes and combinations. It is complemented by 56 taps – including 4-in-1 and 3-in-1 hot water models – accessories, and other peripheral products sold via an extensive network of strong trading partnerships.

It appears the kitchen of the future is closer than we think, and Reginox is excited to be part of it!

For more information use, www.rdr.link/dbh037

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Steve Skeldon, Above Ground Product Manager at Wavin, discusses why guttering plays a crucial role in preparing new homes for a rainier future.

We may have just emerged from one of the hottest summers on record, but it comes hand in hand with more rain. The Met Office’s most recent State of the Climate report revealed that rainfall between October and March in recent years has been 16% higher than the average. Climate change is making our weather more extreme at both ends of the scale, and it’s a trend that will only intensify in years to come.

Housebuilders and developers who are laying foundations now, need to anticipate how this pattern will continue to evolve to make sure future homes can stand up to a climate increasingly defined by extreme weather. Guttering is integral to how a property handles rainfall, so it can’t be an afterthought, and extreme weather means robust solutions are essential.

Handling it all

Everyone who has cleaned out a gutter in the winter knows it’s not just water that you’re dealing with. Stormy weather can blow leaves or other debris into gutters, leading to blockages that have the power to cause serious damage. A blocked gutter can cause rainwater to back up onto roofs and walls, increasing the risk of leaks or water damage that are both costly to repair. The right guttering system, designed to keep debris moving, can stop this problem at source and prevent homeowners from discovering the real meaning of a rainy-day fund.

While extreme rainfall is where good guttering really earns its keep, the arrival of longer dry spells in the summer also puts pressure on systems. High temperatures can cause them to expand, potentially compromising seals and clips used to hold them together. When its dry, this isn’t a problem, but droughts are often bookended by episodes of heavy rainfall and flash floods, and this is when we see leaks and other issues because of a guttering system that’s had too much sun. When specifying a drainage system, it’s worth looking for one that allows for maximum movement with changes in temperature. This means it should have a robust mechanism for coping with expansion and contraction, such as wide seals or clear markings on the fittings to aid installation.

Meeting the demand

Manufacturers are feeling the impact of more extreme weather in the requests we’re receiving from customers – developers are looking for more powerful guttering systems, and the sector is responding to meet that demand. There are several factors to consider when specifying guttering for a new home or development, including location, roof pitch and area, and rainfall levels, but as a rule we should expect more rain everywhere.

For residential and commercial properties alike, high-capacity systems are becoming the norm, and innovative product design and engineering are making systems, such as Wavin’s Osma StormLine and Osma DeepLine, more sophisticated as a result. StormLine has been designed with a higher front edge, upping its capacity, but also preventing overshooting rainwater and overflow in stormy conditions. Internal ribs also help the flow through of leaves and debris to prevent blockages. The whole of the Osma rainwater range features a hydrodynamic outlet, which can handle up. to 30% more rainwater than other competitive systems.

Manufacturers are also now designing guttering not just for rainy days, but for the whole year. Wide retained seals enable the gutter to expand and contract with temperature changes, preventing damage or displacement from the fitting and maintaining performance in extreme heat.

Improved performance shouldn’t come at the cost of aesthetics, and this is a key consideration for housebuilders who want to deliver kerb appeal. Systems such as Wavin Osma use concealed sockets to hide roughly cut downpipe ends and help installers maintain a clean aesthetic. The range of colours on offer is also expanding, as non-white fascias and softfits become more common on new builds and consumers’ appetite for variety increases – our Osma systems are available in up to five different colours.

Ready for anything

Extreme weather is here to stay, but it shouldn’t slow the pace of the housebuilding that the government and the construction industry are working to deliver. It does, however, mean everyone must think ahead on current and future projects as these homes will be faced with serious challenges from rainier winters and hotter summers.

Guttering is unlikely to be top of the list of considerations for new buyers, but a home that’s dry and not at risk of damp or leaks will be, and a robust and effective guttering system makes a significant difference here. Manufacturers are responding to demands from the climate and the industry with robust solutions, and that’s helping developers deliver homes that will stand up to the test of time. In a future-proof home, future-proof guttering is a no-brainer.

For more information on Osma rainwater drainage systems, please visit www.rdr.link/dbg035

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PHPD talks to Dr. Richard Jack, technical director of Build Test Solutions, to learn all about Measured Energy Performance and why this will be a key consideration in housebuilding and retrofitting once the Future Homes Standard 2025 takes effect.

The advent of this year brings with it the coming of the much-anticipated Future Homes Standard 2025 (FHS). This new set of rules is set to revolutionise how homes are built in the UK, with a 75-80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the current regulations. How these lower emissions are going to be achieved is still up in the air. While a mixture of fabric and low carbon heat sources would be optimal, low uptake on heat pumps and a boiler ban reversal mean the burden of low emissions will likely fall on the former. The air tightness of new homes and how much heat they can store is likely to be top priority. While this may be a challenge for smaller builders wanting to know how they can abide by these new regulations. There are tools out there at your disposal. Someone well versed in this very topic is Dr. Richard Jack, Technical Director of Build Test Solutions, who caught up with us on the Professional Builder Podcast to explain why measured energy performance is set to be the new way forward.

First Richard, who has a PHD in the measured energy performance (MEP) of buildings, explains what MEP is: “What we’re particularly talking about is measuring physical aspects of the energy performance of the building. “The sorts of things we would measure would be air tightness, (the most familiar to people) U values of individual elements (heat loss performance of a wall, a floor, a ceiling) and the overall thermal performance of the building. This is the heat transfer coefficient, and basically represents the total amount of heat loss from every source, including air tightness, ventilation and the fabric performance.”

How this works in practice can be in a number of ways, which Richard outlines. As these measurements can be done for new builds or existing buildings (opening up a whole avenue for retrofit), there are some methods which take longer and involve measuring smart meter readings and the internal temperature of a building over the space of a few weeks. The main way for heat transfer coefficients that would be applicable for new builds would be an overnight test though. For U-values, Richard explains what Build Test Solutions does: “If you’re going to measure U values, this involves a much shorter test where you bring in some bespoke hardware plus a thermal camera and a temperature controller.

“So what we’re going to do in this case is keep the internal temperature of one room super steady with this temperature controller. Then we’re going to measure the amount of heat transfer in those steady state conditions and then divide it by the temperature difference between inside and outside. That gives you the U value.” Particular wall, floor – or practically any other elements – can be measured and compared with their design in just an hour. Air tightness, which many will already be familiar with, can be measured in just half an hour or so.

The outcome of this kind of measuring is a grade given to the overall building, breaking down exactly how it performs in each of the categories. It’s all well and good selecting the best materials available, but anything can happen on site. Whether it’s insulation that’s not quite overlapped right, or it’s not close enough to the wall and there’s air movement behind it creating thermal bypass, even the most minor of mistakes can have a big impact on the final performance of a home. Without actually measuring the heat loss or the air tightness, we have no sure way of knowing how well a building actually performs. Why does this matter though? Well, as well as saving some money on bills for the future homeowner of the house you’re building, you also want to make sure you’re complying with the latest regulations on air tightness, which is expected to be a key part of the Future Homes Standard 2025.

More than this, builders are able to accurately specify the correct heat source (heat pump size, for example) and emitter depending on how well a building performs. There’s another element in the proposed FHS 2025 though, that is also key for builders trying to stand out from the crowd with their new-builds. Richard explains: “There’s a new voluntary standard being suggested in the consultation, whereby you would get a government endorsed quality mark that says this building is of really high performance. But only if you measured the heat transfer coefficient of the building and proved it worked as planned.

So, it’s not a mandatory part of what’s being suggested in the consultation but it’s a voluntary way of builders saying ‘we really believe it’s important to make sure that the actual building performs as expected in real life and we’ve tested it and it does’. It’s sort of the idea of proving that it does what it says on the tin. “All of your systems are going to be replaced on a 10, 20, 30 year cycle. But your fabric is going to be there forever.”

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