AECB Building Standard
In the current policy vacuum, there have many questions can be raised about the future of sustainable construction. But despite this uncertainty there is a steady growth of interest in the AECB Building Standard.
A natural accompaniment to the steps-by-step framework of the RIBA 2030 Challenge, you can use the AECB Building Standard to create many kinds of building and achieve significant improvements in health, well-being, comfort, air quality and energy use.
Optimising what’s right for you
One of the greatest benefits offered by the standard is choice. Unlike some standards, you are not bound into using particular technologies, instead it is for the project team to determine the best way ahead. This means there is considerable opportunity to consider appropriate design strategies that resolve both the budget and performance requirements. At the same time, by having a firm focus upon a fabric first methodology, the standard encourages homes and buildings with low maintenance and a long life.
The AECB Building Standard benefits the same attention to detail at the Passivhaus Standard but does not place the energy performance limbo bar quite as low. This relaxation means, in the right hands, airtightness requirements and U-values can be less demanding.
For less experienced designers, this means detailing does not have to be entirely buttoned up. And for contractors, when it comes to airtightness, it means there is a little more headroom for less than ideal workmanship. But it’s not all plain sailing. Designers and contractor always need to keep their eye on the ball. This means having a good team that is dedicated to creating better buildings. Remember, the focus is addressing performance gaps so that the buildings perform as intended.
A Standard You Can Trust
Developed and refined over nearly a decade AECB Building Standard has become increasingly aligned with the quality assurance standards that support the Passivhaus Standard. And by having the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) at its core, AECB Building Standard is indirectly backed up by all the scientific rigour of the Passivhaus Institute.
What’s holding you back?
If you would like to learn more, and become one of the vanguard then you can find out more at the next RIBA North East Sustainable Futures Mastermind event.
