01 / Introduction

The Building Regulations for England provide an insight into how building design is evolving over time – the key challenges and preoccupations at a given moment. As a template for what a safe, healthy building should be, they are also an important indicator of the direction of travel in which the government wants building design and the wider construction industry to move.

These changes are reflective of a time when cutting carbon and creating well-ventilated spaces are paramount. Introduced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), the new regulations are primarily driven by the pursuit of the UK’s legally binding net zero 2050 goal and reflect the global need to decarbonise. While 2050 may seem a long-distance target, buildings increasingly will need to meet stringent carbon emissions standards if the UK is to meet its goal.

The updated rules have also been influenced by the covid-19 pandemic. This has made clear the need for effective ventilation in buildings, particularly in high-density shared spaces such as offices. Furthermore, office tenants are more aware than ever of a building’s health elements.

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