An interview with Matthew Brundle, CEO of Inbuilt

Hello Matthew, how has 2009 treated you so far?
It’s been a really great start actually. The sustainability agenda is now coming of age and being taken very seriously. As Inbuilt entered 2009 we also began our second year of trading. We are consolidating our business around our most popular services: strategic sustainability, advice on low and zero carbon building and renewables consultancy. This will give us a sound platform for future growth.

How do you think the formation of the Department of Energy and Climate Change will affect the UK?
I’m delighted that the department has been established. It is creating and implementing new policies on the two critical issues of energy security and climate change. However, it’s only a first step. My concern is that we are living unsustainably, and a lot of effort is given to managing the symptoms rather than tackling the root cause of the problem. For example, we still continue to develop our consumer orientated lifestyle and believe that the only economic model for a successful society is based on continued growth. These issues need to be challenged at the same time as energy and climate change. A cross-cutting Sustainability Department and overarching policy also needs to be developed.

What effect do you think this will have on the commercial property sector?
The Government needs to engage with the commercial property sector in a constructive, pragmatic and practical way. The industry is facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the credit crunch. Unless we can show how genuine sustainability can aid our recovery, I’m not sure commercial property developers and owners will want to, or be able to, truly engage with this agenda. Sustainability is often criticised as adding cost and complexity to developments. In reality, if clients adopt the ‘whole system thinking’ approach they can achieve so much at low or no extra cost simply by designing out complexity and inefficiencies.

Do you think the onus for reducing carbon emissions lies more upon public or corporate responsibility?
Without question the burden of reducing carbon rests with each and every one of us as consumers. Of course businesses and governments have a vital role to play, but it’s important to realise that every little effort counts and even if our buildings produce less carbon, our behaviour still plays an important part in improving the environment.

If you could pass one piece of legislation that all companies must adhere to, what would it be?
I’m not sure that I’d want to pass yet more legislation. There is already a strong emphasis on regulation, control and performance measurement. What I think is needed is some good news and encouragement, especially at a time when media coverage of climate change and the economic collapse focuses on seemingly endless bad news stories. As I look around at the property industry and all those that contribute to it I see a lot of terrific work, genuine endeavour and innovation. These opportunities need to be highlighted more and celebrated.

What do you think is the most important thing a member of the public can do to help create more sustainable environments?
As a professional, I’ve always been busy with my career. But like many working parents I felt guilty by the lack of time I was spending at home and tried to compensate with material things. Recently however, with economic pressures in mind I have been consciously buying less and focusing on giving more. Creative play and outdoor activities, mostly free and kind to the environment, are the things in life I used to do as a child which have helped to crystallise sustainability for me. Doing this with my family has been a real eye opener and I hope they have gained from this investment in time rather than money.

Have you seen the recession has a hindrance to your activity or has it had any positive consequences?
No part of the property or construction industries has escaped the impact of the recession. But I’ve been hugely encouraged by Inbuilt’s success and the desire of our clients to integrate design, engineering and science more closely together. We are still very busy working to achieve genuinely sustainable buildings and to make the process of delivering them more efficient in time and cost.

What is your favourite type of architectural design?
I confess to preferring traditional architecture. Buildings used to be designed and built in greater harmony with the natural world. They also celebrated regional and cultural variations, which modern architecture sometimes lacks. I think we have a lot of skills to learn from our ancestors who by necessity took their inspiration from nature instead of trying to dominate or control it.

What is your favourite example of commercial property?
Being slightly biased I think our parent company’s (Renewable Energy Systems) HQ office at Beaufort Court is a fantastic building. It is the first of its kind in the UK – an exemplar net zero carbon building. It holds a great atmosphere to work in and is a real testament to the foresight of the RES Chairman Ian Mays and his staff. It is also a huge credit to the architects Studio E and engineers Max Fordham who achieved great things in refurbishing what used to be a chicken shed! Beaufort Court represents a lot of what Inbuilt is working to achieve.

Finally, what are you most looking forward to for the rest of 2009?
2010! Like everyone, I want to see this recession end as quickly as possible. But in terms of sustainability, I think 2009 is going to be a pivotal moment in history. The realisation of climate change and sustainability issues coupled with the collapse of banks and the global economy could result in the longer term in more sustainable ways of living and doing business. We have a real opportunity to develop some radical approaches to the challenges we face rather than continuing to seek incremental improvements. As a nation we have great historical track record of facing up to seemingly enormous challenges and overcoming them. I think this year and next we will really see that innovative spirit coming to the fore.

Matthew Brundle, Executive Director
Inbuilt a major new consultancy specialising purely in sustainability in the built environment. inbuilt.co.uk