Building Regulations for Architects. Building Regulations (sometimes known as building standards) define how a new building or alteration is to be constructed. The regulations cover a number of areas including: Safety. Fire risk. Energy efficiency.

From 15 th June 2022, new Part O building regulations came into force, changing the way that architects must design new dwellings in England to prevent residents from experiencing extreme temperatures during the summer, while also reducing reliance on cooling systems.

Applying only to new residential buildings, the new standard requires dwellings to be designed and constructed in such a way as to limit solar gains through glazing and provide ventilation to assist in effective cooling. Two methods of assessment are provided:

On 24 th May 2022, the Welsh government issued new and updated Approved Documents in support of the Building Regulations for residential buildings in Wales. These changes are expected to have a significant impact on glass and glazing products in new and existing dwellings.

Nine in 10 architects are going above and beyond the minimum requirements for tackling overheating in new homes, as developers seek to protect residents against extreme heatwaves, according to a new study by glassmaker Pilkington UK.

Recent changes to Part L of the building regulations in England come into effect from June, and will be a significant step towards achieving the Government’s Future Homes Standard, which aims to ensure that all new homes built from 2025 will produce 75-80% less carbon than those delivered under current regulations.

On 24 th May 2022, the Welsh government issued new and updated Approved Documents in support of the Building Regulations for residential buildings in Wales. These changes are expected to have a significant impact on glass and glazing products in new and existing dwellings.

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Taking effect on 29 th March 2023, the new Approved Document L Volume 2 buildings other than dwellings (conservation of fuel and power) includes provisions to reduce the carbon emissions and improve the energy performance of new non-residential buildings in Wales.

New and existing non-domestic buildings. The Scottish Government has published changes to Section 6 (Energy) of the Technical Handbooks for domestic and non-domestic buildings to take effect on 1 st February 2023 (deferred from 1 st December 2022).