We attended the Build It Live South West 2024 on Saturday, 7th September at Westpoint Arena near Exeter. This year’s event was bustling with visitors, reflecting the growing interest in self-build, renovation, and home improvement projects. It is clear that Build It Live has become a must-visit event for those seeking inspiration, expert advice, and innovative solutions to build, extend or enhance their homes and looking positive for an upturn in the market.
One of the standout features of this year’s show was the focus on sustainable and eco-friendly building products. The Sustainable Building Products Pavilion showcased innovative green building materials and solutions, catering to those aiming to create energy-efficient and environmentally conscious homes. Whether you are constructing a new house or retrofitting an older property, there are lots of options on achieving sustainability in construction.
The preference is centred around Bioderived and sustainable material solutions such as the following:
Hemp Block
External Woodfibre Insultation Board (sarking) (not shown)
Hemp insulation flexi batts (not shown)
Cork insulation
lime render / thermal (not shown)
Sheeps wool insulation rolls
Sisal insulation batts
thermo acoustic insulation 85% recycled textile (denim)
wood fibre OSB board with insulation
wood fibre insulation
foam glass insulation (not shown)
At our practice/TFQ, we take an environmentally-conscious and sustainable approach to building design, proactively addressing the climate crisis through innovative architectural solutions.
We understand the construction industry’s critical role in reducing its environmental impact—buildings currently contribute to 25% of global fossil fuel emissions, with another 10% stemming from construction activities.
As an RIBA-accredited practice, we are committed to advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and meeting the core outcomes of the 2050 net-zero challenge, as well as the 2030 Climate Challenge. Our goal is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive meaningful progress in sustainable building practices.
We are fully aligned with creating a better built environment with a strong focus on the following key areas:
Natural Materials: We champion the use of natural, minimally processed materials to encourage positive environmental change and reduce carbon footprints.
Low Embodied Energy: Reducing embodied energy in all stages of construction. ensuring a more energy-efficient building lifecycle.
Toxin-Free Buildings: Eliminating harmful chemicals from our designs is a priority, creating healthier living spaces.
Decarbonisation: We prioritise decarbonisation, helping your project reduce reliance on fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy sources.
Circular Economy: Embracing circular economy principles—reuse, recycling, and deconstruction—to extend the lifespan of buildings and reduce waste.
Locally Sourced Materials: Wherever possible, we use locally sourced materials, which not only lower environmental impact but also support the regional economy.
Water Efficiency: Our designs include advanced water-saving strategies, including on-site water reuse, to promote conservation and sustainability
We would be delighted to collaborate with you on a project that embraces sustainability goals. Together, we can turn your vision into a holistic design, that not only aligns with your personal values but also help in reducing long-term operational costs for the future, ensuring it not only meets but surpasses your expectations!
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