5 residential structural engineering design trends for 2024

Planning a home renovation project in the new year? Here are five trends to consider in your architectural and residential structural engineering plans…

12 January 2024

1. Smart homes

Advancements in technology means that more and more homes are using smart technology to become more responsive, efficient, and secure.

Existing homes will be redesigned to incorporate devices that adjust room temperature, control lighting, and manage security systems, whereas new homes can be designed with this technology in mind.

2. Net Zero Energy Buildings

NZEBs, or homes that produce are much energy as they consume, are set to become increasingly popular in the UK.

Not only do NZEBs reduce energy bills and make homes more sustainable, they also help reduce the need for fossil fuels and support job creation within the sustainable construction and renewable energy sectors.

As such, there are many incentives for designed NZEBs, with the cost of NZEB technology falling and the government having a set a target of all new homes being NZEBs by 2025.

3. 3D printed houses

3D printing is revolutionising the construction industry, allowing houses to be built faster than ever before.

Depending on the design, a 3D printed home can be completed in just a few hours, with the finished building ready to be occupied within a few months.

What’s more, with the labour, material and time savings, 3D printed homes are less expensive to build than conventional ones, with more cost savings expected as the technology advances.

As an additive manufacturing technique, 3D printing also minimises construction waste, lowering costs and the environmental impact of the project.

If you are considering using 3D printing in the construction of your home, a building regulation and residential structural engineering report from CR Design Services will cover the technical details required apply for approval from your local council.

4. Remodelling not building

With mortgage rates and house prices remaining high, not to mention the cost of living crisis affecting people’s ability to buy and move property, homeowners will instead focus on improving the living spaces what they already have.

With architects and engineers working side by side, CR Design Services can prepare architectural drawings and residential structural engineering designs to transform your home.

Whether you want a loft or garage conversion, extension or something else entirely, we can prepare the designs, building control drawings and structural calculations needed to make your ideas a reality.

Find out more about our design services.

5. Innovative use of land and space

Considering a new build home project in 2024? You may have to think out of the box – or plot! – as available building plots are increasingly difficult to find.

Self-builders are having to resort to overlooked plots such as infill plots, brownfield sites and pieces of land usually not for building a home on, such as redundant petrol stations.

Luckily, our talented architects will make innovative use of the space available – whatever size and shape it may be. With CR Design Services concept design packages, we can prepare comprehensive architectural drawings for your dream home.

Architectural, building control and residential structural engineering design packages from CR Design Services

Let 2024 be the year of your next home renovation or new build project – contact us today to discuss your ideas.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 72 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   MMA 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good experience! (Not giving 5, as you have to sometimes chase for an update)
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Matt Ginger 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After doing our research and speaking with a few different companies, we decided to go with CR Design Services. The ask was to redesign the downstairs space in our Victorian Terrace house. They understood the brief so quickly and challenged us on design options, this was very welcome- saving us money in some areas but telling us to spend it in others. To make sure you get the best end result. We can’t recommend this company enough, the quality of the work and the attention to detail is fantastic. They are also impressive on responding to queries, either the day of or 1 day after - due to the nature of work, you will have a lot of queries. So having a business that actions them so quickly is great. A big thank you to Asal, Chris and the team. We will be using you in the future. Thanks
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   johann crichton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Chris was fantastic when I needed a structural plan drawn up for my loft. So helpful and so easy to deal with going out of his way to help and affordable prices . I couldn’t fault his service in anyway and highly recommended .
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   ELAINE SNEDDON 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent experience with CR design - I can 100% recommend their services and would definitely use them again. They helped me navigate the confusing world of planning permission with listed buildings to acheive a successful outcome.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Stefka Arsovska 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great company to deal with!!! Excellent , professional services done in accordance with contract in timely manner. Very polite staff, always keen to help. For hassle-free design services, support for the council's Planning Permission and Building Regulations applications I strongly recommend CR Design Services. I would definitely used them again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   David Henness 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Used CR Design to design a renovation for a bungalow. The firm was very professional. They listened to our ideas and were able to provide a great design as well as help with building regulations. A great service that I would certainly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Cameron Stanwick 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 10/10 service - would not recommend any other architecture company to this degree. Approached them with 3 weeks notice after being with another architect firm that said the job couldn’t be done / wouldn’t be approved. CR Designs took on the job, drew the plans to what I needed and submitted them to my planning officer. Over the moon to say the plans were granted after a long 6 months of initially submitting my application - thank you so much!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Darren Myners 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a project that was probably quite awkward for the team due to the numerous changes requested. Despite this, the team was very supportive and produced high-quality work.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Elizabeth Every 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We needed a revised plan drawn at short notice during lockdown in the middle of a building project. Laura was able to respond quickly, quoted a fixed price, liaised with us to get the information accurate and completed our plans within three weeks. We have now received planning permission and are able to get on with minimum delay. Thank you for your reliable, fast and professional service. We have just received approval for a retrospective plan to complete the above project two years further on and have received the same professional and thoughtfull service from Caroline and her team. Highly recommended.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Rosslyn Haith 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Most professional organisation and worked to tight timelines, everyone I dealt with were knowledgeable, delivered a high quality service and their work was to an excellent standard. They made excellent suggestions - the team led by Chris with Asal and Caroline were a pleasure to work with. They took my architects high level drawings and created comprehensive building plans to the eco passive house standards that we required. Exemplary!