How to get more of the right clients

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Ian McHugh is founder and Principal at Green Triangle Studio. He specialises in sustainable housing and community regeneration.

I’m always on the lookout for building professionals who are focussed on sustainable design and construction, so when Ian McHugh popped up in my LinkedIn and Twitter networks, I was keen to get in touch.

Ian’s specialisations include Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor, and ‘Eco-Refurbisher’. I want to know how good designers and architects can do more work involving energy efficient, sustainable, eco buildings. As a building professional, how can you get more of this type of work?

As a building professional, how can you get more of the right clients?

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Share an Idea

One way to distinguish yourself and attract the type of eco-minded clients you’re after, is to have and to share a good idea.

Ian has does some excellent research on climate adaptation in housing. From his analysis, which includes a lot of thermal modelling, Ian has found that houses in the UK could actually require more energy for cooling than for heating by 2040. This is a staggering conclusion.

UK houses could require more energy for cooling than for heating by 2040

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Extrapolated to any part of the world, what does this mean for the houses we’re designing and building now? What will they be like to live in 25 years from now?

Using thermal modelling and climate change predictions, Ian has shown that on our current course, UK houses may need more energy for cooling than heating by 2040.

IDEAhaus

The IDEAhaus is partly a response to dealing with future climate change. It’s also about providing good looking, quality houses, affordably. The proposition is to use industrialisation for ‘mass customisation’ – essentially manufacturing houses more like we currently make cars. This is similar to concepts now well established by the likes of ZETA Design + Build Modular Homes and promoted by PrefabNZ.

Ian McHugh’s IDEAhouse is a concept to utilise industrialised lightweight house building techniques to mitigate climate change risks.

Collaboration

Ian has worked alongside Professor Greg Keeffe Queens University School of Architecture in Belfast to publish his work on IDEAhaus. This is another great way to extend your network, increase your authority and ultimately get more of the right type of clients.

Of course being attached to universities is also a great way to extend your network, keep up to date on the latest trends and even to get inspired by fresh, new ideas.

Ian McHugh

You can get in touch with Ian via:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/greentriangleuk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/ian-mchugh/26/75/b45
Email: green.triangle@btinternet.com

Book Recommendation

Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture: Principles and Examples with Reference to Hot Arid Climates