Zen and the Art of Sustainable construction

SCHUMACHER COLLEGE
An International Centre for Ecological Studies

Zen and the Art of Sustainable construction

Gifford and Partners Director Andrew Pettifer reports on a somewhat unconventional week of residential study

Sustainability is the most compelling problem facing mankind today. We’ve all heard the facts: 50% of the UK’s energy demands consumed by buildings, 30% of land fill coming from construction sites and the three planet earths we would need to sustain us if everybody in the world used natural resources at the same rate as the average UK citizen. With construction having such a large part to play, why is it that the issue is being so slowly addressed by the mainstream of our industry?

It was with this question in mind that an eclectic mix of engineers, developers, researchers and consultants met at The Schumacher College in South Devon for a one week residential course in early December 2001 entitled “Inspiring Construction”. This was to be no normal corporate training course. Those who had visited Schumacher before knew what to expect; the rest were in for a surprise. For as Schumacher’s prospectus states “Through inter-disciplinary studies, the college aims to explore the foundations of a more sustainable, balanced and harmonious world view, where a unified residential education involving physical work, meditation, aesthetic experience and intellectual inquiry creates a sense of the wholeness of life.” In other words; basic accommodation, poetry after breakfast and chores before lectures.

Any fears that the course was going to expound the case for extremist environmentalism were quickly allayed by the quality of the speakers. Peter Head, now corporate development director of Aecom and the man behind the Maunsell/ Faber merger, led the first session. Having attended a previous ‘Business and Sustainability’ course at Schumacher, from which the idea for this first construction focussed course arose, Peter returned to present the strategic case for a sustainable approach to the re-generation of the UK’s much maligned infrastructure. And the case is compelling, because the point about sustainability is that the financial, social and environmental criteria for development are aligned and collectively are far more powerful than in isolation. What is more, the principle can be applied to businesses too. The Railtrack situation is just the most recent example of business failure resulting from a purely financial basis for an organisation whose primary function is clearly as much a social one. Interface, the US carpet manufacturer have stormed to market leader status since it’s leader Ray Anderson(?) embraced the concept of sustainability in his business. And have you tried getting into Ikea on a Sunday morning? So shout it from the hilltops because sustainability is good for business!

Those who ignore the principles of the argument do so at their peril because the legislative framework is catching up. Pressure from the Turnbull report and directives from the likes of the Association of British Insurers are forcing public companies to state their social and environmental objectives in their annual reports and in the light of the growing number of ethically managed funds can they afford to just pay lip-service? The new Part L of the Building Regulations are driving the minimum standards of construction towards a more sustainable position but even more wide-ranging legislation is on it’s way through the draft EC Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, currently winding it’s way through the consultation process apparently unopposed by any member nation. As David Strong, managing director of the BRE’s Energy Division, another big-hitter contributing to the course, points out it is the performance of the existing building stock that really needs to be addressed. The draft directive sets out the requirements for an energy labelling scheme for buildings which will require all owners of buildings used by the public to display data on it’s energy performance. The directive also requires that for all new buildings with a surface area greater than 1000 sq.m. consideration must be given to the case for the application of renewable energy sources.

Course delegates got close to nature with a walk on Dartmoor and an impassioned lecture on the importance of the ecological systems that control the natural world and provide ‘services’ to man that are beyond calculation in value. The theory of ‘Gaia’ (the Greek Goddess of Earth) was not easy for delegates to assimilate but nevertheless provided powerful inspiration that something has to be done.

And so it was that on a Thursday night in a corner of rural England a group of construction professionals came together for the traditional Schumacher final night party and, with a somewhat unconventional dress code, did the tango, drank organic beer and put the world to right. So sustainability is not only important and good for business, but it can be fun too.

This course not only inspired but changed those lucky enough to have shared in it and convinced each individual that they could and must make a difference. The sustainability agenda is spreading fast and will impact on all businesses in the very near future. Should the opportunity arise for you to learn about it at this wondrous place, be it for personal or professional gain (for you will get both),
take my advice. Go.

For more information about Schumacher College and its courses, please contact :

The Administrator, Schumacher College,
The Old Postern, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6EA.
Tel : +44 (0)1803 865934 Fax : +44 (0)1803 866899
Email : admin@schumachercollege.org.uk
Website : www.schumachercollege.org.uk

Schumacher College is part of the Dartington Hall Trust, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and as a charity (company no. 1485560, charity no. 279756). Registered office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL, UK.