This ebook brings together leading industry perspectives to explore the UK’s transition toward healthier, warmer and more energy-efficient homes under the Future Homes Standard
Warm at work, cold at home: What makes home retrofit difficult?
It opens with insights from Lucy Bruzzone, built environment lead at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, whose article “Warm at work, cold at home: What makes home retrofit difficult?” highlights the contrast between comfortable, energy-efficient workplaces and the often cold, inefficient homes many people live in.
Bruzzone’s experience in the Passivhaus-refurbished Entopia Building illustrates how well-designed environments enhance wellbeing, while her conversations with residents, councillors, and estate agents reveal why home energy performance still rarely influences buyer and tenant decisions. Her analysis sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the financial, cultural and practical barriers that continue to hinder large-scale residential retrofit.
Beyond compliance: Why the Future Homes Standard should be a starting point, not the finish line
Building on this foundation, the ebook examines Dr. Anthony Greer’s article “Beyond compliance: Why the Future Homes Standard should be a starting point, not the finish line,” which argues that while the Standard represents progress, it lags behind what is already technically achievable—particularly through offsite manufacturing. Greer highlights how systems developed for extreme climates, such as TALO’s timber superstructure technology, routinely exceed both regulatory airtightness levels and Passivhaus benchmarks, providing a glimpse of what the future of housebuilding could look like when precision, consistency and sustainability are embedded from the outset.
What are the challenges faced in meeting The Future Homes Standard?
Finally, the ebook draws from Harwood Building Control’s analysis in “What are the challenges faced in meeting The Future Homes Standard?” which presents industry survey findings showing widespread confusion, skills shortages and concern around Parts F, L, O and S of the updated building regulations. Their expert commentary underscores the urgent need for upskilling, clearer communication and stronger support if the industry is to meet the 2026 compliance deadline.
