Architect Gemma Jerome Embraces Nature-Driven Construction Citywide

Let's dive into the world of Building with Nature, the UK's very first benchmark for green infrastructure. This badass eco-friendly framework is all about bringing together the construction sector and beyond – from designers to developers, public authorities, and homeowners alike. The goal? To create spaces that put people and planet at the forefront of the building process, without sacrificing style or function.

Dr. Gemma Jerome, the brilliant mind behind Building with Nature (BwN), graciously shared her insights on how this innovative standard came to be and why it sets the bar high for other green initiatives.

A CityChanger's Green Beginnings

Gemma's passion for sustainability started to grow in the mid-2000s when she focused her doctorate on local-scale green infrastructure and place-making. Ever the champion for community, her interests lie in health and well-being, social and health inequalities, and social justice, and she was determined to make a difference in these areas.

Unfortunately, the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent austerity measures in the UK hindered her plans. However, as fate would have it, Gemma found herself embarking on an exciting new project as a project manager for a research innovation partnership. The goal? To develop a revolutionary building standard.

A Regenerative Revolution

The collaboration between Engo Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the Sustainable Planning Environment Team at the University West of England (UWE), and sponsorship from Innovate UK and the Natural Environment Research Council laid the foundation for BwN. Unlike traditional wildlife trusts who focus on steering development outcomes through objections, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust sought a more proactive approach – early engagement in the design of new developments.

With the clear requirement for green infrastructure outlined in the UK's National Policy Planning Framework, it became apparent that there was a serious misunderstanding between planners and developers. With a paucity of imagination about what was truly possible, clear communication was key to making BwN a success.

The Natural Standard

Developed in 2016, the BwN Standard offers a practical guide to high-quality, sustainable construction. It ensures green infrastructure truly works for people and places in perfect harmony. Unlike other standards, BwN takes a regenerative approach to construction, focusing on creating quality developments that make nature work harder and smarter for us.

Fears over the climate emergency should not dictate planning decisions, Gemma suggests. Instead, BwN offers a supportive, positive, and regenerative narrative that is free to use, written in plain English, and applicable to both new developments and retrofits regardless of user expertise. It caters to three essential audiences: developers, clients seeking accreditation, and those seeking planning approval.

"It's not a prescriptive tool," Gemma explains, "It's about creating quality developments and making nature work harder and smarter for us."

Building a Greener Future

With numerous building standards to choose from, one might wonder why BwN? Well, BwN is designed to fill the gap left by other standards by offering a more practical understanding of integrating green infrastructure. That's not to diminish the robustness of other standards like BREEAM and WELL, but BwN takes a more contextual approach to deliver high-quality placemaking.

In June 2021, the BwN Standard was streamlined, reducing guidelines from 23 to 12, making it simpler to follow and more accessible for all.

Green Infrastructure in Action

The benefits of interacting with nature are well-documented, and BwN focuses on the essential ingredients: well-being, water, and wildlife. This focus is crucial in the city as much as in rural areas.

Take the NHS Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, which won the first Building with Nature Award in 2020. Recognized for its implementation of soft infrastructure throughout its biophilic design, the hospital provides recuperative and preventative health benefits.

The hospital's green infrastructure accounted for just over 1% of its £300 million budget, but the senior construction manager regarded it as "the best 1% that they had spent." They worked closely with landscape architects to ensure every opportunity for green infrastructure was taken, resulting in internal courtyards, safe accessible outside spaces, and sustainable drainage throughout the car park.

The site incorporates historic Larbert Woods and a restored Loch, providing stress-relieving walking routes for patients, visitors, and staff. "No longer is that hospital somewhere that people just associate with long corridors, very hard spaces, and car parks," Gemma notes. "The landscaping actually contributes to how you're moving in a legible and easily accessible way."

In short, Building with Nature is a user-friendly guide that helps stakeholders of all kinds incorporate wildlife, water, and well-being into their projects. As Gemma says, "It's to excite people and inspire people to do better." And with the construction sector moving more towards environmentalism, hopefully, more projects will follow suit.

Overcoming Challenges

While BwN has achieved remarkable success, Gemma acknowledges one challenge – public awareness. If Building with Nature were a household name, it could make a bigger impact already. The timing of the UK's commitment to developing strong national green infrastructure standards in 2018 meant BwN was not yet established enough to provide a ready-to-go solution for the government. Instead, BwN supported the development of Natural England's green infrastructure standards, ensuring they work seamlessly together. While the latter is mandated, BwN remains voluntary, ensuring its longevity and allowing it to build a strong rapport with the construction industry.

So, there you have it! With Building with Nature setting the stage for a greener future, let's get excited and inspired to make our communities and the planet a better place for generations to come!

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