Rethinking home design for a changing climate: windows, ventilation and the Future Homes Standard

An article from VELUX technical advisor Eugenia Maslova argues that the Future Homes Standard should be judged on whole-building performance, not just individual targets. It makes the case that windows and roof windows affect daylight, ventilation, overheating risk and energy use all at once, so treating them as separate compliance boxes misses the point. The piece also flags a practical conflict on roofs: PV panels and roof windows compete for the same space, and a rigid regulatory path can push designers toward simple solar layouts that ignore natural ventilation and light. With renovation-led measures accounting for 75% of total emissions reduction potential, the author says policy needs to support existing homes as well as new builds.