In the 21st century low carbon buildings will be assembled on site from a set of modular precision made components (2013)

Founded by Audley English, buildeco is delivering that future via an innovative form of modular flat-pack offsite intelligent construction for the built environment. To do so it is bringing together like-minded people and organisations that will lead and encourage cultural changes within the industry for the benefit of all.

Construction is facing a new era of green buildings (2014)

Modernisation of the construction industry is long overdue – it is the last industry to embrace fully automated methods despite the fact that they can substantially improve quality, cut costs, reduce construction time, prevent waste, and lessen injuries. Using recyclable and sustainable materials, the industry’s carbon footprint can significantly be reduced and efficiency provided using manufacturing techniques similar to the motor industry.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them” Albert Einstein

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Predictions in delivering 100% Net Zero Carbon Buildings (2019)

Carbon tax applied to all materials
Carbon tax applied to all buildings
Buildings to be carbon neutral or better
Building approach ‘fabric first ‘solutions
Buildings to be fully demountable & recyclable
Offsite delivery solutions will become mainstream

Post Covid-19 New New Look 2020 ‘Jobs First’

The UK government urgently needs to support entrepreneurs and innovators more than ever now, to create jobs and preserve the old ones within the built environment following this pandemic.

Church Housing Conference 2022

Mobilising and equipping the church to build better housing and communities.

Prior to the main conference, we had a round table meeting organised and chaired by Rani Moorcroft MBE CEO of zedgeneration cic. In attendance was the leader Basildon Council, Deputy Mayor Basildon, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex and CEO BIPVco who all joined us via Zoom. In person was the CEO Habitat for Humanity, Vicar and church warden from Essex, representative Homes England, ESG Founders, Bounce Back head of contracts. We were later joined by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Housing. I give my presentation on Buildeco’s offsite housing delivery solution in addressing NetZero.

It was a lively and positive round table discussion on how to strengthen relationships to ensure the Church of England can play its part using its own land to help resolve the housing crisis.

The main afternoon conference followed and was open by Bishop Guli. The debates discussed a range of issues, the Impact of the housing crisis, what is meant by “Affordability”, Setting up a National Church Housing Association, how to interpret Best Value and responding to the housing Crisis: What can I do?

The day ended with Questions put to the Panel

Chaired by Bishop Guli and the panel members included Alan Smith, Kate Henderson, David Thomas & Cathy Francis

Celebration of Black History Month at The House of Lords 2022

This year’s dedication titled ‘The Mother of the Commonwealth Lunch’ as we honour our late Majesty in this her Platinum Jubilee Year.

The event was organised and hosted by Rani Moorcroft MBE FRSA and her volunteers of ‘zedgeneration cic’ and charity partner ‘Robert Levy Foundation’ led by Pat Levy who’s 16-year-old son Robert who wanted to become an architect, he died from a knife attack in Hackney 2012. Also in attendance was Robert’s 109-year-old grandmother, Mrs Nellie Brown. The RLF theme is to build community hubs where young people can be safe surrounded by role models to help them achieve the best they can be.

Speakers included The Lord Hussain, Sir Peter Wanless CEO of NSPCC’s, Cllr Hamza Taouzzale 23-year-old Lord Mayor of Westminster, Trevor Fothergill CEO of Windrush Housing Alliance.

Rani’s grandchildren Ellie, Lincoln & Louie made speeches and paid tribute to her as it was her birthday.

Videos shown by NSPCC, Fiona Barretto-Desouza on the planting of 3 million trees, she had flown in from Tanzania but the flight was delayed. Fiona will be launching ‘The Kings Green Canopy’ in November at COP27. Monty Lord now seventeen, at the age of seven, UK’s youngest Bestselling author and due to release his second book this December, he also holds five Guinness World Records and won many other awards.

Other mention Sidra Naeem ‘Deputy Lieutenant in Essex’, Professor Clive Fraser ‘Business Diversity Champion’, Justin Placide (BEIS) ‘co-chair of the Civil Service Race Forum’, Tum Kazunga CEO of ‘Habitat for Humanity’ & Daniel Pillai co-founder BIPVco solar power module.

We can all play our part and make a difference in supporting our planet for the next generation.

First Edition of Jamaicans in Britain – A Legacy of Leadership 2022

I’m honoured and feel immensely privileged to be included in the first edition of Jamaicans in Britain – A Legacy of Leadership.

Bottom LHS photo taken at the Jamaican Embassy: The High Commissioner signing Audley’s copy.

His Excellency, Seth George Ramocan, the Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK, who in 2017, at his welcome reception for leading members of the Jamaican diaspora, announced that it was his mission to create a record of Jamaicans who had made significant contributions to Britain and the Jamaican communities here, in particular, those who came in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s.

Our ancestors were removed from Africa to Jamaica, where, with the migration of many other nationalities and races, we became “Out of Many One People”. Audley’s grandmother emigrated from India to Jamaica and his grandfather was of Scottish descent.

This book gives more than a hint of some of the many individuals, some well-known, others less so, and collective struggles that they have overcome, but many of which are still ongoing.

Message from the Prime Minister of Jamaica: The Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness ON, MP:

“The book, which proudly acknowledges the achievements of outstanding members of the Jamaican community in the United Kingdom from the pre and post-Windrush periods, profiles the remarkable history of those men and women of various socio-economic backgrounds and their commendable impact at the local and international levels. It highlights the stories of people who have, through diligence, determination and courage defeated great odds – social, racial, physical, cultural and economic to become trailblazers in their respective fields”.

Message from the High Commissioner for Jamaica: H.E. Mr Seth George Ramocan, CD

“It is therefore fitting that this compendium, is published in honour and recognition of the significant contribution our community has made to the wellbeing of the UK as well as to build a positive public awareness of our community. It will also serve to remind present and future generations of the priceless contribution our community has made to the development of the UK”.

The British Homes Awards 2022

The British Homes Awards set industry standards for housing, mixed use, interior, sustainable and environmental developments for others to follow. Clients, professionals and the public look at current market trends and new concepts arising from the awards. These awards are industry recognised and I’m privileged to be on the judging panel.

Tribute to Lord Rogers aged 88 died 2021

It’s very sad to hear the news of the passing of Lord Richard Rogers.

As a student at the Architectural Association in my third year, I was taught by unit master Mike Davis and founding partner of the Richard Rogers’ Partnership, known as RRP at the time. Mike’s teaching and the practices work influenced my thinking in my methodology from that time until the present day. Many of my fellow students went on to work for RRP and some setup their own practices after leaving, continuing with Lord Rogers’ design philosophy.

From the many remarkable buildings designed by Lord Rogers and his team, for me, the practice journey in delivering modular housing is the most challenging to address in our desperate housing shortage. From the 2005 John Prescott 60K design competition, subsequent lessons were learned and applied to their MMC housing schemes in Ladywell, Mitcham, with upcoming projects demonstrating the importance of R&D.

I will continue on my journey along the MMC path. Thank you for your inspiration through your practices work.

RIP

Richard Rogers’ favourite colour ‘light green’- Buildeco’s main branding colour 2013

Jamaican Prime Minister’s Low Cost Housing Design Awards Ceremony November 2021

Buildeco’s submission receives Honourary Mention & Certificate

300 plus entry received for Jamaica Low Cost Housing Competition. Unable to attend the Design Awards Ceremony the certificate was accepted by architect Professor Dr Pat Green on behalf of Audley English, Director of Buildeco Offsite Architecture, the awards were held at ‘The Terra Nova All Suites Hotel’ Kingston, Jamaica.

The KTN Space & Geospatial Virtual Pavilion for COP26 on

3 November 2021 Panel Discussion.

“HUMANS must Reduce CARBON or CARBON will Reduce HUMANS”

(Audley English 2021)

The built environment is responsible for nearly 40% of global GHG (check) emissions. Of this, 28% is attributed to operational emissions, from energy used to heat, cool and light buildings, and 11% from embodied carbon emissions, found in the material and construction processes across a building’s entire lifecycle. In UK, the built environment sector will need to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 in order to meet net-zero targets by 2050.

Speakers explore the questions, challenges and opportunities that the net zero goal presents for the built environment?

Black History Month 2021

Black History Month 2021 has now come to a close. On a personal level, I participated in two momentous events. The first was to be honoured alongside Levi Roots and RAF West Indian veteran Mr Copeland MBE. We were the first recipients to receive Windrush Housing’s awards for their launch of ‘Windrush Payback: Building A Better Britain’. Their pledge is to raise funds to support the provision of 10,000,000 bricks, which equates to the refurbishment of many homes and similarly, to build numerous MMC homes that will combine to a total of 1000 NetZero homes. The event was held at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton on 22.10.21. Balloons were released in honour of members of the Windrush Generation who have sacrificed so much for a Better Britain.

The second event was to attend Zedgeneration’s CIC to honour our Windrush Mothers & Fathers and celebrate Rani King’s (MBE) 71st birthday with a Windrush English tea party on The House of Lords terrace on 25.10.21. Speeches were given by Lord Quran Hussein, Cllr Andrew Baggott and his 10-year old daughter Willow Baggott and others. A flower tribute to Sir David Amess was made.

The after-event was held at the Abbey Centre, with presentations given by artist EVEWRIGHT of the Windrush ‘TILBURY BRIDGE WALKWAY OF MEMORIES ART INSTALLATION’. Speeches were given by West Indian Windrush elders, reflecting on their experiences.

George Connett, the great great nephew of Jack Leslie told the story of him being the only black professional football player in England during his career from 1921-1935, across fourteen seasons, when he scored 133 league goals over 384 games.

My presentation was on delivering MMC NetZero housing to address Climate Change.

Photos Top L – R: Award with Levi Roots No1, Balloons before release No2, My table guests No3 & elders No4

The Good Homes Alliance (GHA) NetZero Low Energy New Build Housing Case Study September 2021

Homes with high fabric efficiency and a ‘future-proofed’ building services setup that allows net zero tech (such as a heat pump) to be easily installed at a later date.

Buildeco’s Hurst Close MMC Demonstration Project selected GHA case study.

Windrush Celebrations; Tilbury Saturday 26th June 2021

Coaches brought original Windrush pioneers to pre-view the TILBURY BRIDGE WALKWAY OF MEMORIES by artist EVEWRIGHT. Tears shed re-living history seeing themselves young and full of hope on 432 panes of glass, The immersive artwork., collaged with photographs, documents, original boat passenger tickets and memorabilia was installed on the passenger walkway 55 metres long.

Top left photo; artist EVEWRIGHT with Audley English

The evening event held nearby at the Worlds End Pub that included Caribbean, African, Asian food; music provided by ‘Monkies Wedding’ one track song ‘Red Red Wine’

Bottom left photo; included the Mayor of Thurrock, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Chair of Windrush Housing Association and Thurrock Cllr.

Buildeco’s ‘FlexiKeyWorkers Multigenerational Complex’

The one thing Covid-19 taught us is to value and cherish the family unit and that the new normal may mean years of lockdowns.

Separating confused grandchildren from beloved grandparents so cruel on both sides.

Nurses and other key workers in the danger zone of infection having to live apart for months to minimise the risk to children and elderly parents.

Keeping Granny and Grandad at home with new technology available could avoid the isolation of care homes.

We clapped for our NHS, now let’s build for them, and others using Buildeco’s multigenerational housing concept.

This complex allows people from babes in arms to golden oldies independent living, together under one roof.

The unique design has larger internal floor spaces, higher ceiling that are single or double height and increased natural daylight.

With large balconies, communal garden with children play space and equipment, even built in home office space, it is the home for the future, today.

Buildeco’s MMC flat-pack solution non-combustible, net zero with an EPC A rating – up in days offering real jobs for semi-skilled workers.

From Dream to Reality November 2020

MMC flat-pack Black Clad traditional style houses, assembled from a standard Kit-of-Parts that achieved Passivhaus airtightness and U-values, based on our fabric first methodology, have now been achieved.

The first full flat-pack platform panelised MMC offsite-onsite individual components solution. It can also be configured to provide contemporary style houses.

Black History Month Celebrations October 2020

Flotilla makes a nostalgic sail past to honour Windrush generations at Tilbury Dock in Black History Month.

Our third #GeovationNetZero session on Tuesday 7th July 2020

In this third #GeovationNetZero session we will be exploring the location based challenges and opportunities in delivering sustainable production and consumption.

What does sustainable production and consumption look like? How does it influence the business model, product and service? What does success look like?

From London, a warm welcome to Audley English, who founded Buildeco.

As global society battles collaboratively, creatively and innovatively to defeat Covid-19, businesses and organisations of all kinds are rethinking their models and processes to sustainably change society for the better. This includes the transition to Net Zero. That transition will need to address decarbonisation, deliver sustainable consumption and production, and create a regenerative and sustainable bio-economy.

How do you plan celebrating the 50th anniversary Earth Day

on 5th June 2020?

Help The Homeless Post COVID 2020

The number of homeless people, including the hidden homeless families, may rocket and they will return again to the UK streets once removed from their temporary accommodation, including hotels, etc. This will happen once the Government scraps the funding for these schemes, which have been used to protect and house the homeless during the onslaught of Covid-19.

A solution will be required to address the housing requirements of the homeless. Based on past experience, Buildeco offer a range of accommodation types. Their concept, the FlexiTA (Flexible Temporary Accommodation) is a combination of one-to-four-person accommodation, including wheelchair accommodation, constructed from non-combustible materials. The mix and stacking configurations of FlexiTA have been developed to address each individual client’s unit mix requirements and are specific to each unique development site, making the design totally flexible.

Illustrated 1 (left to right) Ground floor layout: 2No. one-person units, communal lobby, a one-person unit and a wheelchair unit that can accommodate two people

Illustrated 2 (left to right) Upper floor generic layout: mix is a three-person 1B unit, communal lobby, a one-person unit and a four-person 2B unit.

SHOUT-OUT to the front line NHS and all the volunteers that work tirelessly to feed them 2020

Buildeco, in particular, supports this group of volunteers, called the ‘Mums’ Army’. They cook curries, cakes etc, etc and deliver them, using their own transport, to Basildon University Hospital on a daily basis. Preparation starts at 5.00 am.

Their slogan is: ‘We Clapped, We Cooked Now We’re Going to Build – Keyworkers’ houses for all!”

Buildeco is currently in discussion with two Councils to support funding for ‘Mums’ Army’ and allocate a number of small sites from their portfolio to be developed for affordable keyworkers’ housing.

Local people are to be employed and trained to build these houses for their communities, which will financially benefit the local economy.

Appreciation and support to – Mums Army- From NHS staff: ‘First of all a big thank you for feeding us. The food is always very delicious and we all enjoyed it. It’s much appreciated your continued support for us. Once again thank you very much for the amazing food. God bless you all. from others. it’s really appreciated that your group helped Colne ward during this pandemic. We nurses work in ITU and after the busy shift its really nice to have food delivered by your team. Thank you so much once again. Much appreciated. Hats off for you all. Christopher wrote I was staying in a hotel for four weeks as I have vulnerable family at home, so for a while your meals were the only substantial meals I was eating. I’d like to thank every one of you for all you have done.

On a National scale, in addressing affordable housing for keyworkers, Buildeco recommends that of all government land sold or transferred and developed for housing, 25% of these homes must be allocated for keyworkers at an affordable rent or affordable purchase price.

Petition: UK Government and Parliament 2020

Provide funding to colleges & apprenticeships for eco-community house building UK parliament petition with global promise

Are you worried about the future as we enter the worst recession for 300 years?

We can turn this crisis into an opportunity, rescue a lost generation of young people, and older unemployed workers; retrain, and build a better, greener future.

Please sign our petition and spread; our ‘disease’ is optimism, highly contagious which will lead to decarbonisation, lowering of global warming, and a pandemic of decent affordable homes with a strong national workforce facing a better future with hope.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/313929