With the government committed to its target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2030, K Rend’s latest webinar, ‘The Evolution of Home Design’, explored how the housebuilding sector can meet demand without compromising on quality.
Chaired by James Parker, managing editor of Housebuilder and Developer, the webinar brought together experts from housebuilding, architecture, building products and warranty provision to debate how early specification, robust design and collaboration can shape sustainable, affordable homes of the future.
Danielle Michalska-Morris, director of research & technical innovation at Taylor Wimpey, emphasised the way that future regulatory changes, such as the incoming removal of gas boilers and the new Part O overheating regulations, are reshaping housing design. She has seen a shift in the way people live and work, with buyers placing a greater emphasis on adaptability, accessibility and smart, healthy homes.
Danielle said: “This is a balancing act between cost and consumer desirability. It’s about making smarter choices by selecting the right materials, using efficient construction methods and working collaboratively.”
Danielle also raised concerns about the industry’s skills shortage, with more than 250,000 additional workers needed by 2028 to meet demand and maintain build quality.
Taking an architectural perspective, Dan Postill, associate architect from Bowman Riley, explained how well-designed homes not only sell faster but also secure planning approvals and build stronger communities. He noted the growing importance of carbon analysis in material and design choices, and how regulations on overheating are driving more articulated and characterful façades. For him, cost management must extend beyond upfront savings to consider lifetime performance.
Dan commented: “There’s a sweet spot where a modest increase in spend creates a big uplift in quality perception. Poorly detailed façades cost a fortune to maintain over time, but when we get the details right, defects are reduced, maintenance is cheaper and buildings look good for decades.”
Gary Wilson, business development manager at LABC Warranty, emphasised the importance of understanding the distinction between building control and warranty, with warranties playing a critical role in risk management and early error detection.
Gary explained: “Engaging with the design team and warranty provider early is key to preempting risks and ensuring problems don’t occur down the line. A collaborative approach, supported by technical guidance and training, can iron out the vast majority of defects and ultimately reduce claims.”
The session concluded with David Grace, sales director at Saint-Gobain Exterior Solutions, who reinforced the importance of early engagement, product training and correct application on site. He explained that training plays a crucial role in addressing the industry’s skills gap and ensuring render systems are installed by qualified applicators who understand the products and follow best practice.
David said: “Access to fully trained applicators is essential. When installers are properly trained and supported, the risk of remedial works drops significantly, warranties are protected and the end result performs as it should.”
The webinar highlighted that the future of UK housing is not simply about building faster to meet targets, it’s about building smarter. From innovative façades to early collaboration with technical partners, the session demonstrated how thoughtful design decisions can prevent costly issues in the future. For housebuilders and architects, embracing these strategies means creating homes that are durable, distinctive and better aligned with evolving regulatory, environmental and community expectations.
