As sustainability and innovation partner Tom Dollard of Pollard Thomas Edwards says the practice has an “ever evolving zero carbon culture.” Here he explains what drives him, such as the Building for 2050 initiative with AECOM and Galliard Homes
What made you want to become an architect?
Before my last year of school, I had a summer holiday working as a labourer on a large construction site. The work was very physical and I wasn’t really cut out for it, but I noticed the intriguing drawings onsite and the process of constructing, and this got me thinking about design. The next term at school, I did some drawings inspired by my site work, and we visited some local historic “architecture,” which included Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire with its inspiring visitors centre by Ted Cullinan. I loved the combination of art with the technical, and so my art teacher encouraged me to apply to architecture school. Funnily enough, more than 10 years after that site visit, I actually did my Part 3 when working on a project with Ted at Cullinan Studio.
What do you like about it most now?
I still love the fine balance between technical and artistic, and searching for the “joy” in every project. Every day is a new challenge, as I work on a wide variety of projects at all scales and stages, including research into the newest materials, products or processes.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Working to retain the “joy” while working on large delivery projects with main contractors.
Are you confident on the UK’s progress towards more sustainable buildings?
I think we have a good theoretical position, but delivery and performance “in use” is something completely different which we need to monitor and improve.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
Publishing my book “Designed to Perform” – now in 2nd edition – which attempts to address our progress towards better performing buildings.
Is proper evaluation of completed buildings’ sustainability generally very difficult to do?
Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) is becoming a lot easier and cheaper to do. Monitoring and verification technology has improved in the last few years, as has education and skills. Industry bodies like the Building Performance Network and the Good Homes Alliance have produced really useful guidance, and the publication of BS40101 on BPE has been a tipping point. The industry has struggled to carry out significant amounts of building performance evaluation in the past, and has relied on Government funding – such as in the case of a project I’ve been working on, Building for 2050 (www.buildingfor2050.co.uk). The primary barrier is a culture that does not want to go back to revisit completed buildings, and indeed there is no incentive to do so. There are many other minor barriers to BPE, including cost, insurance and legal, but these can all be overcome. Unfortunately, the result of not doing enough BPE is that we don’t know how our projects are performing or how people use them.
What is the key thing that needs to happen now to help UK construction drive towards net zero?
Incentives (grants and regulation) for BPE– which is a key part of the net zero definition.
What’s your current favourite material for designing buildings?
Any material that is re-used or upcycled from the site or nearby. A recent re-used site timber for flooring and cladding. I’d love to use more re-used materials on our new projects, and have been inspired by projects and companies doing this in Amsterdam.
Are you more interested in realistic than idealistic solutions?
I think I prefer realistic solutions, but we need a balance. I generally don’t like idealistic solutions that will never be delivered.
Do you think we need to avoid ‘making the perfect the enemy of the good’ when it comes to product sustainability claims?
There is a lot of greenwash out there, so architects need to be really robust in any specification and check the certification. EPDs should be mandatory, as they illustrate all the key data you need to know and help with our embodied carbon calculations.
What’s your big short-term goal?
After five years of research, we are going to finish Building for 2050 later this year, when the final report will be launched. Next year I would like to continue my research work with DLHUC and BEIS on Part L and the Future Buildings Standard. I also plan to finish writing up my thesis with Leeds Beckett University, to achieve a Doctorate in Engineering (EngD) in sustainable construction.
Tom Dollard is partner of sustainability and innovation at Pollard Thomas Edwards