Basements boom

publication date: Jul 16, 2008

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author/source: David Harris

Recognising their benefits for better use of land, increased energy efficiency and the provision of flexible living space that meets the lifestyle demands of today, the Government and a lot of other people has called upon the UK house building industry to increase the provision of domestic basements. In mainland Europe and throughout America, basements are seen as a way to maximise land use for small cost increase. Typically, in Germany the provision of a basement costs only 2 – 12% of the construction costs for up to 50% more living space.

The Basement Information Centre www.tbic.org.uk exists to give advice and promote the message that basements offer better use of land, better use of energy and better living space. Until the First World War, basements were commonplace in the UK. However, after the war many houses were built at low cost and basements were omitted because land was comparatively cheap and in plentiful supply. That is not the case today and basements can provide considerably more living space without the use of any more land. They are also well suited for construction on sloping or brownfield sites where the Government wants to see 60% of new homes built.

To some extent the resurgence in interest in basements has been fuelled by the self-build market but they are certainly the answer to providing more space in high density areas. Particularly popular in London is the solution where the basement is excavated and built below the small back garden or courtyard.

Importantly, basements improve the energy of homes. Research carried out by BRE found that given two houses of the same aboveground size and construction, the one with a basement would be 10% more energy efficient.

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