SIPs stretch budgets

“One thing is certain: .., without a committed client, a decent site and an appropriate budget, nothing of any quality of significance is likely to emerge, whatever the quality of the architect.”  Paul Finch

This statement highlights the delicate relationship between three elements at play during a construction project - the client, the architect and the budget (decent sites an extension of the appropriate budget). Aspiring to do the significant, the definition of which is of course highly personal, we are therefore on a perpetual search for the committed client with the appropriate budget.

Unfortunately, even committed clients are stretched. A difficult aspect of the design process therefore, is to curtail unfunded expectations and assist our clients to make the budget stretch further. This is not a new quest, as historically every area had its economic challenges. However, technological advances favour the here and now. Like sustainability, Passivhaus and prefabrication/SIPs have entered the mainstream of construction. And it is particularly for the committed client that such technological advances now bear fruit.

We started designing with SIPs, Structural Insulated Panels in the domestic sector a decade ago, and have since completed new-builds as well as extensions. With every project anew, the speed of construction impresses. Whilst the aspect of prefabrication ensures that technical issues are resolved well in advance at a high level of precision, intersections between SIPs and existing buildings can be a challenge. However, such discoveries have spurred us on to develop robust details, ensuring high levels of performance.

Ultimately, SIPs are a really cost effective way of constructing exciting spaces at an unmatched speed, capable of become something significant.