maybe it’s because I’m a Leo, but you won’t hear me complaining about the heat wave.
I consider a good night’s sleep a worthy exchange for sunny evenings and jacketless dressing.
It’s a trade I have to make because, despite my best efforts to take a Mediterranean approach to keep the heat out (blinds down, windows closed), my flat is way too hot at night.
My building was built over 100 years ago and just wasn’t designed to withstand extreme heat.
We are no longer in Edwardian London, but far too many houses are still being built as if we were.
A day spent in a glass kitchen extension from the Noughties this week will give a whole new interpretation to the phrase global warming.
It’s not just about comfort: heat waves can also be dangerous, and wider use of energy-draining air conditioning is not the quick fix we crave.
We need a massive refurbishment of all UK homes, but even for that we need to at least ensure that all newly built homes can function in extreme weather.
It’s unlikely we’ll see legislation requiring it anytime soon, but we could start by rewarding only those who build greener.
The Riba Home of the Year longlist for 2022released this week, features several houses to tackle climate change thoughtful and beautiful. From Passivhaus technology to inventive retrofitting, there are some examples of good practice that shine through.
Let’s go further and make eco-friendly and weather-resistant design a requirement to participate in all such awards in the future.