Why does public art make us feel good?

Creative director David Bickle and artist Bob and Roberta Smith walk and talk it through

How do we make sense of a rapidly changing world?

We think the answer lies in our new H\B Foresight service

How can we design out loneliness?

And build happier, healthier communities

Why does public art make us feel good?

Creative director David Bickle and artist Bob and Roberta Smith walk and talk it through

How do we make sense of a rapidly changing world?

We think the answer lies in our new H\B Foresight service

How can we design out loneliness?

And build happier, healthier communities

Connect

Resources

People sitting down, using the computers and walking around the library at Plumstead Centre

Ideas worth sharing. Insights worth exploring.

We’re passionate about exploring new ideas and pushing boundaries. Our resources hub is where we share insights, research, and practical tools. Our goal is simple: to make knowledge accessible and spark conversations that drive progress. Whether you’re a client, a peer, or a student, we hope you find something useful here.

H\B:ERT Emissions reduction tool

H\B:ERT is an easy-to-use open-source Revit-based tool that enables design teams to quickly analyse and clearly visualise the embodied carbon emissions of different building components and construction material options at any time during the design process.

We worked in partnership with the UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (IEDE), through their Engineering Doctorate program, to create the award-winning Hawkins\Brown: Emission Reduction Tool. The tool was developed as part of research titled ‘Refurbish or Replace – the life cycle performance of existing buildings and their replacements’ by Dr Yair Schwartz, Research Associate at The Bartlett, UCL. H\B:ERT works by measuring the volume of all materials tagged in the Revit model. It then applies embodied carbon data to that material, broken down into life cycle stages (product, construction, use stage and end of life) in line with BS EN 15978:2011.

H\B:ERT V1 (V1.1.6) aligns with the RICS and RIBA guidance and currently uses the Circular Ecology ICE database, but can use alternative data where available.

H\B:ERT is compatible with Revit 2018 – Revit 2024. Download the new updated toolkit with installer below.

HBERT Plug-in and Case Studies Download Form

Basic information:

Consent:

H\B:ERT V2 & VERT

Our open-source H\B:ERT V1 tool spawned an in-house version V2, that we use for our embodied and whole life carbon consultancy. It won both the AJ100 Best Use of Technology and the RIBA Research Award, in 2020 and now, the evolution continues.

H\B:ERT v2 has evolved into VERT, a commercial Whole Life Carbon tool designed to support projects from inception to completion. VERT stands for Visionary Emissions Reduction Tool, derived from the Latin word “vertere,” which means “to change.” Our goal is to give non-experts access to Whole Life Carbon data, empowering them to make informed, long-term decisions about their design work or portfolios.

VERT also visualises the emission reduction benefits of retrofit, from light modifications to deep interventions, compared to demolition and new build. This feature helps users assess the impact even before design work begins.

You can find out more here