November 02, 2012, 7:00 am -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- A study by the Future Homes Commission, a body instigated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) calling for 300,000 extra homes to be built every year as part of a “housing revolution”, has been welcomed by Homes by Skanska – the UK residential arm of global construction firm, Skanska.
Sue Warwick, Interim Sales and Marketing Director of Homes by Skanska commented: “There have been a number of calls to increase the UK’s housing output over recent years; however the study by RIBA presents the industry with a tangible solution to the housing crisis we are currently facing. With the study proposing such large-scale construction without the need to use government finance, we will be interested to see how the housing minister reacts to this study.
“Notably, it is a step in the right direction to see the report call for a greater focus in design across all new homes, which is something we as housebuilders have a huge responsibility to deliver. Reinforcing calls to build more homes to address the nation’s housing shortage is vital, but of equal importance is the need to create desirable yet affordable homes fit for families and future generations.
“At Homes by Skanska we have begun to show how Scandinavian design principles can be adopted by the UK housing industry to create exactly the kind of practical living spaces proposed by RIBA. High ceilings, large windows and well-planned, built-in storage can be combined with insulation and energy-efficient technologies to balance functionality with desirability.
“The housing sector will no doubt embrace many of the proposals laid out by RIBA in order to make the most of the funding pledged by the coalition in September.”
For more information on Homes by Skanska and its first development, Seven Acres, a group of new homes Cambridge, visit www.skanska.co.uk/homes.
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Notes to Editors:
Skanska Residential
In December 2010, we announced our intention to establish a Residential Development
Business in the UK. This decision followed a comprehensive review of the UK market,
which identified a high-volume, long term need for high-quality residential
properties in the UK. This, coupled with the extensive environmental requirements
placed on new UK homes fits perfectly with Skanska’s knowledge and experience. In
January 2011, we purchased our first residential development site in Cambridge.
This was followed in October 2011 with the announcement we had purchased our second
site, again in Cambridge.
Skanska in the UK
Skanska is involved in some of the UK’s most prestigious projects in both the
Private and Public Sectors. Whilst known mainly for our large high-profile schemes,
we also undertake many smaller projects including public realm improvements, hard
and soft landscaping as well as hundreds of utilities projects each year covering
gas, electricity and water.
By combining the skills and experience of our construction operations and those of our Infrastructure Development Business Unit, we have become a UK leader in Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnership schemes covering healthcare, education, defence, transportation and street lighting.
Our business model is to integrate our core disciplines to deliver project solutions across our chosen market areas. By integrating all disciplines and working together with our clients, our partners and our supply chain, we make a real difference to the delivery of projects. We focus on creating sustainable homes and solutions and we aim to be leaders in green construction, health and safety and business ethics. We work strictly in accordance with the Skanska Code of Conduct and to our Five Zeros, which reflect our core values: zero loss-making projects, zero accidents, zero environmental incidents, zero ethical breaches and zero defects.
Our commitment to contribute to a more sustainable world is resolute. In June 2011, we were named the Greenest company in the UK across all industries in the Sunday Times Best Green Companies Awards. We seek to use our position to influence both our clients and our supply chain to make more sustainable decisions, taking a longer-term view over the infrastructure we develop. Our ability to demonstrate real responsibility to people, organisations and the environment in which we work attracts the next generation of talent who want to make a real difference.
Backed by the financial strength of Skanska AB, we focus totally on our customers in
the UK to understand their needs.
For further information please contact:
Rob Jones / Nicky Weston
WPR
+44 (0)121 456 3004