Design and innovation

Good design creates a desirable place, both in the use of the buildings and the spaces between them, and directly affects the quality of life for those who live in and around them. Good design is underpinned by a set of fundamental principles which are applied individually to each scheme in response to its particular environment and the interests of a wide variety of local stakeholders.

Delivering the Code in the economic downturn

Crest Nicholson has welcomed the design challenges presented by the Code for Sustainable Homes, although we accept that in the current economic environment we have to moderate the speed of technical development. We have fewer sites on which to pilot new build approaches, and few purchasers from whom we can understand the impacts post-occupation. The need to reduce build costs to match reduced sales values coupled with government requirements to reduce CO₂ emissions is putting huge demands on the industry.

Nevertheless we continue to employ exemplar projects including One Brighton, Avante, and One Gallions where modern methods of construction and new technologies are being applied. The knowledge and expertise gained from these sites will be used to inform future projects and develop our knowledge base.

Applying our Code 3 framework

Crest Nicholson’s Code 3 framework developed in 2007 has been used to assess and inform the planning, design and build of many of our developments, enabling an accurate cost base to be quantified early on in project development and improving efficiencies in build. Last year we delivered our first 20 homes to Code level 3, a full four years ahead of the Government’s timetable, and applied for planning permission for One Gallions – 260 dwellings to Code level 6 for energy.

Delivering Code Level 6

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Find out about our Sustainable Construction practices.