I like to pride myself as being described as someone who gets things done and an employer who employs men and women of action. 2009 was a very exciting and challenging year for TJP and as we enter 2010 I am definitely feeling a sense of all our actions in 2009 having a positive effect this year.
The phrase ‘What’s next?’ is an important one for architects this year. Not that we are clamouring to do the newest most fashionable build, but as a call to action. There are several burning issues but one in particular which needs our attention and is one which is going to be the most important of the next decade; Sustainability coupled with affordability.
I do not have any pictures of Polar Bears on melting ice caps for you all to sigh over but I do have facts. They may not pull on the heart strings but they definitely paint a picture of what is most definitely a NOW ISSUE.
I have a clear vision of Sustainability and how it relates to modern living. I know what can be done to make buildings more environmentally friendly, it’s what I and my team live by. Our design ethic not only meets the Sustainability Codes of today but looks to meet future Codes as well.
The Now Issue is not just how we fill Britain with fantastic beautiful eco friendly buildings.
The Now issue is also ‘How do we set about retrofitting the nation ready for the Emission Reduction target date of 2050.
The target is an 80% cut across the board in Co2 emissions by 2050. As is often the case with government issued targets, they are set, and yet the ways by which we achieve and as importantly, afford these targets, are quite often rather vague or absent.
But through the good work of people from such agencies as The Sustainable Energy Academy and the Building Research Establishment to name just two, we do have the information to move forward.
I called it the numbers game because it seems that although the target is set, the job thereafter due to the lack of funding, lack of resource and information, is for many, to find a way to get around the targets.
I don’t want to do that. I want to meet those targets.
By Keith Johns – Managing Director
An innovative & progressive studio of architects 