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Hilary Benn spoke at the RIBA tonight

How often is it that we have an articulate minister at the RIBA? Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, gave a succint summary of the dire climate predictions facing the UK and what Government is doing about it. We say the profession is engaged with climate change but too many seats were empty in the Jarvis Hall this evening.

Benn cited specifics like the NHS’ development of a heat wave plan after the hot summer of 2003, the new requirement for planning permission to pave a front garden, and modified motorway designs to incorporate gaps in central medians for emergency u-turns so that cars have an escape route in the event of flooding.

As Benn rushed back to Westminster for a parliamentary vote, Ruth Reed chaired a panel which included a representative of DEFRA, Bill Dunster of ZedFactory, Bill Gething of FeildenCleggBradleyStudios and Sheppard Robson’s Alan Shingler. Adaptation - planning for climate change - has moved considerably higher up the agenda recently. Even two years ago, the emphasis was on mitigation - reducing its impact.

I couldn’t resist asking the three architects on the panel - who have all been designing low carbon buildings for most of their careers - to name the one key thing they think architects can do in addressing climate change. Bill Gething was clear - ‘watch the use of glass, especially south and west facing.’ Controlling overheating in summer will be critical. For Alan Shingler, it’s evidence-based design: feeding post-occupancy user and energy data back into the design process, something I’ve been pushing in the AJ for ages. Bill Dunster stressed the role architects should play in persuading government that finite fossil fuels and escalating prices mean that a move to renewables is essential now. Dunster also made a strong plea on behalf of the Code for Sustainable Homes, calling it ‘an enlightened piece of legislation in danger of being dumbed down by the UK-GBC and the ZeroCarbonHub.’

Benn was thought-provoking and clear. I’m intrigued that Bill McDonough packed the hall with a young audience three weeks ago, but few of them turned up tonight.

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