Housing currently contributes 20% of the nation’s climate emissions. We want to make a proactive contribution, working with our clients to help them achieve net zero by ratcheting up building performance.

We are collaborating with three other architectural practices – HTA Design, Levitt Bernstein Architects and PRP Architects – to enhance our delivery of design and other services to our clients, whilst supporting them in the process of decarbonising their development and renovation programmes and improving social value.

Central to this is the creation of feedback, which tests how well we have achieved the targets and what lessons we have learned as we head towards the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge. Having worked together on previous projects, we know that this openness and consolidation of data provides the best results and far more opportunities to learn.

We have devised a common methodology so that data can be aggregated and compared more easily:

• Stage 1. Initial visit for observational survey and door knocking (with or without introduction to questionnaire dependent on whether Stage 2 is envisaged)
• Stage 2. Questionnaire – a half hour one-to-one which can also be answered online.
• Stage 3. Environmental monitoring – using remote equipment that feeds data over the internet.
• Stage 4. Optional Diagnostic stage – only applicable where specific issues emerge requiring further investigation.

We have begun testing this guidance and have detailed our shared approach in two documents:

Paper I – A framework for effective collaboration

Paper II – A proposed methodology for post-occupancy evaluation