Traditionally, concrete has been seen as a solely practical material – chosen for its strength and durability rather than how it looks. But now, leading manufacturers are making big innovations to transform its concrete’s carbon footprint and update its overall appeal, too. Here, Mike Edwards, Group Head of Sustainability at Marshalls explains the benefits this offers to professional housebuilders looking to strike a point of difference in their landscaping and outdoor living projects.

From pavers, slabs and stepping stones, to retaining walls, planters and more decorative elements, concrete has long played a vital role in the creation of beautiful, durable outdoor spaces. But there’s no getting away from the fact that concrete plays a big part in the construction industry’s carbon footprint, reportedly accounting for around 1.5% of all UK emissionsÅ.

With increasingly stringent regulation forcing the need for housebuilders to operate in more sustainable ways, innovative new products which minimise carbon expenditure are becoming increasingly appealing in outdoor design. Even more popular are those which are both environmentally friendly and stylish, enabling garden designs to come to life – and leading manufacturers are taking note.

Different make-up, same durability

To reduce the carbon footprint of concrete landscaping products, manufacturers are looking at the levels of cement in their mix designs. Cement typically accounts for about 88% of the emissions associated with the average concrete mix, therefore bringing down the amount of cement used can help to dramatically reduce its environmental impact.

Importantly, manufacturers have been able to make this change without impacting on performance. The very latest formulations of concrete enhance itsdurability and improve its resistance to common issues like staining, fading, and frost damage – issues expected to arise in landscaping and outdoor living projects. Better yet, by extending the lifespan of the product, concrete becomes a costeffective choice for housebuilders wanting to create beautiful looking outdoor designs that last.

Aesthetic remains key

Recent innovations have enhanced the appearance, texture, and finish of concrete, making it an increasingly appealing choice for housebuilders, particularly for outdoor spaces. What’s more, these advancements have made it easier to incorporate into designs. For example, last year, Marshalls launched Modal X®, a lower-cost, lowercarbon alternative to granite paving that also boasts high durability and design flexibility. It features eight colourways, smooth and textured finishes, fifteen plan sizes and five depths, including three complementary sett sizes with a textured riven surface. Different paving formats such as modern linear units are included in the range to help delineate spaces, while smaller elements can be used for finer detailing and edging, creating character and unique design elements in front and rear gardens and driveways. It uses a new state-of-the-art curing system which speeds curing times but, vitally, also reduces the carbon impact of the range, making it a popular choice for sustainably-aware housebuilders and landscapers.

Technology advancing

The very latest concrete surface printing technology can create stylish concrete pavers available in a wide range of colours and on-trend designs, to truly enhance outdoor spaces while achieving carbon savings, too.

Pavers produced using these methods have excellent colour consistency between batches and, due to their printed surface-coated design, have a hard, protective layer that shields the surface from stains, fading from UV light, frost and abrasion. As well as providing slip resistance to an enhanced slip/skid rating, the protective layer also defends against the possible risk of efflorescence – when salt deposits rise to the top of a surface – which is sometimes experienced with concrete products.

For those using the products in their landscaping and outdoor projects, one of the most significant advantages is time and labour savings. As they are made from concrete, these pavers can be cut without specialist blades and laid in the same way as ordinary concrete or block paving, according to application. As such, housebuilders and developers can remain true to the installation techniques they know and trust.

The industry’s leading manufacturers are truly rethinking concrete, using advancements in technology to transform it into a material that not only meets, but exceeds modern construction demands.

Today, concrete is no longer just a grey, functional material of the past – it’s the foundation of modern design and innovation, and particularly across landscaping and outdoor spaces where innovation is rife. All these benefits mean housebuilders can futureproof their garden projects, with beautiful products that are truly sustainable, too.

Å ICE: Construction sector could more than halve emissions from concrete by 2035 – industry task force at www.rdr.link/dbc029

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For more information on Marshalls visit www.rdr.link/dbc030

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Architects and designers are being urged to consider a set of key design principles so people feel – and are – safe in shared spaces such as housing developments. Johanna Elvidge, head of design at Marshalls, reports.

A new white paper – Creating Safer Spaces – reveals that four out of five people feel more unsafe when it’s dark in public spaces and are, on average, 12 times more likely to avoid such areas than in daylight hours. The white paper, published by Marshalls, highlights the significant difference between how the public view areas at different times of the day and outlines a series of design pillars that the industry should consider to ensure safety is better integrated into public spaces.

As part of the research, it was found that residential streets were considered the safest of all spaces, yet nearly a quarter of people said they still avoided them after dark. It also found that parks and gardens were viewed the least safe spaces when it’s dark, with 80% of people avoiding them during this time – 40 times higher than in the daytime.

Reasons for the heightened awareness of safety in dark hours included poor visibility as an issue, where potential dangers or hazards are concealed or out of sight. A lack of ‘social presence’ from less use of spaces by people when it’s dark was also raised as a reason for safety concern.

Translating perceptions into actions, the results showed people commonly change their behaviour to improve their perceived levels of safety when out in public. The most frequent modification was walking a longer route that is busier and/or better lit, followed by crossing the street to avoid others. Further changes included only wearing one earphone or listening at a lower volume and carrying a personal alarm.

To support the industry in creating shared spaces where people feel safe from day through to night, we have outlined seven best practice design pillars within the white paper. Covering principles from vision and wayfinding to acoustics and technology, these considerations should be used by industry to provoke fresh thinking and debate.

Simple design choices such as the height of a hedge or the use of textured materials, for example, can have a big impact on whether people feel and are safe in our shared spaces. However, at present principles such as designing wayfinding and acoustics for when it’s dark are often overlooked when planning schemes. By considering safety during the feasibility and concept stages, the principles of ‘designing for dark’ can be seamlessly integrated and even enhance other key principles including biodiversity and accessibility with compelling consequences.

As well as evidencing the effects of perceived safety at an individual level, Creating Safer Spaces also explores the macro consequences of when, conversely, spaces are designed and built with safety, at all times of the day, in mind. These range from improved mental and physical health, impact on climate change and economic growth.

If people don’t feel safe in when it’s dark then it can limit their opportunities in life; from education, training and employment, to fitness, socialising and access to cultural activities. Not only does this impact them as an individual, but it has knock on consequences to their local communities, society, the economy and environment.

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