Sustainable design features "part and parcel" of self build

It is important that self builders and architects employ sustainable design features on their new properties, MBM Arquitectes say.

David Mackay, partner at MBM Arquitectes suggests that carefully calculating the orientation of the building, the thickness of the walls and the types of materials to be used are the fundamentals of architecture.

"Thick walls keep heat in during the winter and keep it cooler during the summer. Also, putting the windows in the right place for when the sun comes out makes it easier to get up in the morning," he advises.

All these features are sustainable and "part and parcel" of good architecture.

A report released this year by the Communities and Local Government committee revealed that the average existing home in the UK emitted 1.6 tonnes of carbon each year, which is more than twice that of the average new build home - which emits 0.86 tonnes.