Future Homes Standard: Designing for a Zero-Carbon Future

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Designing for the Future Homes Standard

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) represents one of the most significant shifts in residential design, engineering and construction for a generation. It is not simply a compliance update – it is a complete redefinition of how homes will be designed, built and operated.

The proposed changes to Building Regulations mean all new homes in England will need to achieve a 75 to 80% reduction in operational carbon emissions compared to those built to the 2013 regulations. This aligns with the UK’s wider decarbonisation strategy and sets a new benchmark for energy efficiency, comfort and occupant wellbeing.

What’s Changing and Why It Matters?

For years, the industry’s innovators have led the way with Passivhaus principles, fabric-first approaches and the specification of renewable technologies.

What makes the Future Homes Standard transformative is that these best practices will now become the minimum expectation. Every project team - from architects and housebuilders to residential developers and planning authorities – will need to adapt.

Key implications include:

Fabric-first design from concept stage:
Improved U-values, minimised thermal bridging and enhanced airtightness will be fundamental. Co-ordination between the architectural and building services design teams must happen at an early stage to avoid incurring costs on late-stage adjustments.
Low-carbon heating and smart control systems:
Heat pumps are set to become the default heating solution for new homes. The successful integration of this technology demands early consideration of space for plant, acoustic management and electrical loading.
Smarter integration of renewable technology:
Photovoltaic panels and battery storage systems will be designed according to predicted energy demand, not just available roof area. Roof massing, shading and orientation decisions will play a bigger role from RIBA Stage 2 onwards.
Overheating analysis and compliance with Part O:
Homes must now demonstrate thermal comfort through either simplified assessments or dynamic TM59 modelling. This will encourage better glazing ratios, natural ventilation design, and passive cooling strategies. These are all essential for occupant health and comfort in a warming climate.
Whole-life carbon assessments:
Increasingly required at tender stage, these assessments quantify embodied carbon and inform the specification of products and materials. This is a significant shift away from simply meeting energy targets – to understanding the full environmental impact of every design decision.

This is clearly a design opportunity – ensuring the building fabric and energy strategy are designed in at the outset and with carbon as a design metric. This will help to futureproof homes for generations.

The Role of Modelling and Intelligent Design

Overheating and ventilation performance are now critical factors in compliance. As Mesh’s technical engineers highlight in our CPD sessions, overheating is rarely caused by one factor alone. Instead, it results from a complex interaction between glazing, building orientation, location, ventilation, occupancy, and thermal mass.

Dynamic thermal modelling (using CIBSE TM59 and TM52) allows these factors to be understood and the risk of overheating mitigated – before construction begins.

Passive measures such as cross-ventilation, building overhangs, brise-soleil sunshading, and night-time purge strategies can then be optimised, balancing comfort, daylight and energy performance through intelligent design.

Helping Housing Clients Prepare

Mesh is already contributing to the Government’s consultation on the Future Homes Standard and supporting clients as they prepare for implementation.

Our building performance engineers work closely with architects, housebuilders and residential developers to help them navigate the evolving landscape with practical, data-driven support, including:

Early-stage energy and carbon strategies
Dynamic modelling for thermal comfort and compliance
Renewable and low-carbon system design
Whole-life carbon assessments

Our aim is simple – to help achieve compliance, with the minimum risk and to create better-performing, healthier homes for the future.

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Our Christmas Message

by Doug Johnson • 9 December 2025

As the year draws to a close, the Mesh team has been out in the community helping to spread some much-needed festive cheer. From fundraising in Santa suits, food donations for local families and donating warm clothing for those who need it most, the team has embraced the spirit of giving in the run-up to Christmas. Running for a Cause: The Guildford Santa Fun Run Despite the wet weather, members of the Mesh team braved the elements for the Guildford Santa Fun Run, raising money for the children’s charity, Challengers. Joined by Jacqueline Smith from our client TALO, Mesh’s Founder and Director Doug Johnson, along with Maria Fiore and Ilianna Filippopoulou, completed the festive run in full Santa attire. The team also reached their fundraising target, helping Challengers continue its exceptional work in supporting disabled children and young people in the community. Supporting Local Families in Need through the Lions Christmas Food Parcel Appeal For another year, Mesh proudly supported the Lions’ Christmas Food Parcel Appeal, helping to provide food parcels to individuals and families in need over the festive period. Thanks to the generosity of the Mesh team and many local businesses and residents, a huge selection of donated goods is now being sorted and delivered by the incredible volunteers at Lions Farnham. This annual initiative continues to be a meaningful way for us to support vulnerable members of our local community during what can be a really challenging time of year. The Coats for All Initiative Mesh has also taken part in the Coats for All initiative, a brilliant scheme that distributes warm, good-quality coats to anyone who needs one. Through the generosity of colleagues, friends, and partners who donated pre-loved coats in excellent condition, we are helping to ensure that more people can stay warm this winter. Many local libraries are acting as collection points, making this a simple but impactful way for people to support others in the colder months — and we are proud to play our part. According to Mesh Founder and Director, Doug Johnson: “Community sits at the heart of Mesh, and it’s been inspiring to see our team give their time, energy and generosity to support such worthwhile causes - not just this Christmas but throughout the year. Whether running through the rain, collecting food, or fundraising for local charities, everyone has contributed to making a real difference — and I couldn’t be prouder.” At Mesh, we believe that small acts of kindness create meaningful impact. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, participated, or volunteered this year. We look forward to continuing our community support into 2026 and beyond."

Bringing Some Festive Cheer to Our Community This Christmas

9 December 2025

As the year draws to a close, the Mesh team has been out in the community helping to spread some much-needed festive cheer. From fundraising in Santa suits, food donations for local families and donating warm clothing for those who need it most, the team has embraced the spirit of giving in the run-up to Christmas. Running for a Cause: The Guildford Santa Fun Run Despite the wet weather, members of the Mesh team braved the elements for the Guildford Santa Fun Run, raising money for the children’s charity, Challengers. Joined by Jacqueline Smith from our client TALO, Mesh’s Founder and Director Doug Johnson, along with Maria Fiore and Ilianna Filippopoulou, completed the festive run in full Santa attire. The team also reached their fundraising target, helping Challengers continue its exceptional work in supporting disabled children and young people in the community. Supporting Local Families in Need through the Lions Christmas Food Parcel Appeal For another year, Mesh proudly supported the Lions’ Christmas Food Parcel Appeal, helping to provide food parcels to individuals and families in need over the festive period. Thanks to the generosity of the Mesh team and many local businesses and residents, a huge selection of donated goods is now being sorted and delivered by the incredible volunteers at Lions Farnham. This annual initiative continues to be a meaningful way for us to support vulnerable members of our local community during what can be a challenging time of year. The Coats for All Initiative Mesh has also taken part in the Coats for All initiative, a brilliant scheme that distributes warm, good-quality coats to anyone who needs one. Through the generosity of colleagues, friends, and partners who donated pre-loved coats in excellent condition, we are helping ensure that more people can stay warm this winter. Many local libraries are acting as collection points, making this a simple but impactful way for people to support others in the colder months — and we are proud to play our part. According to Mesh Founder and Director, Doug Johnson: “Community sits at the heart of Mesh, and it’s been inspiring to see our team give their time, energy and generosity to support such worthwhile causes - not just this Christmas but throughout the year. Whether running through the rain, collecting food, or fundraising for local charities, everyone has contributed to making a real difference — and I couldn’t be prouder.” At Mesh, we believe that small acts of kindness create meaningful impact. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, participated, or volunteered this year. We look forward to continuing our community support into 2026 and beyond."

Volunteering in the Surrey Hills

5 November 2025

Members of the Mesh team joined a local charity to help with a tree planting project on the Hampton Estate. This was organised by the Surrey Hills Society, an independent charity who do some great work to encourage people to spend time in the beautiful Surrey landscape. According to Mesh Director Doug Johnson: "We are always looking for volunteering ideas and this charity's work fits so well with our sustainability values. This was our second volunteering day this year. It is very much part of our ethos and culture to make a difference to our environment. These events are also a fantastic opportunity to bring our team together. Thank you to the Surrey Hills Society for a really good day in the autumn sunshine. It’s just so good for the soul!" Five members of the Mesh team joined the day – travelling from Worthing, Bristol and as far as Exeter to help out.