Today is World Architecture Day (Monday 5^th October) and this year’s theme, ‘housing is a human right-build it!’, feels especially relevant to anyone involved in designing or delivering residential projects. At Senior Architectural Systems, this is also a value that we have shared for over thirty five years of business. We have supported new build housing, refurbishment and retrofit schemes across the UK, and we have continually evolved our aluminium fenestration products to meet changing regulations and rising expectations.

Ready for the regs

The regulatory landscape has shifted fast and is still evolving as architects and specifiers put the theory behind the new targets into practice. Part L of the Building Regulations has already pushed the industry to take a more fabric first approach, with tighter rules around thermal performance and more accurate modelling. Window systems sit right at the centre of this shift because they influence both heat loss and solar gain – two major factors in creating and maintaining a comfortable home.

The Future Homes Standard takes this direction even further. Published in March 2026, it confirms a major change in how window performance must be assessed. Instead of relying on a standardised window, the new Home Energy Model requires whole window U values to be calculated for the exact configuration installed, which means every window in a home must be modelled individually, and the performance must be consistent regardless of size or style. The maximum allowable U value will also tighten from 1.6 W/m²K under current Part L to 1.2 W/m²K. It is a big step forward for energy efficient housing and it places even greater importance on systems that can deliver reliable thermal performance.

Products that perform

Here at Senior we have been preparing for this transition for a long time thanks to our continuous investment in innovation and our commitment to helping our customer stay ahead of the curve. For example, our patented PURe^® aluminium window system already meets both current regulations and the planned Future Homes Standard using double glazing. That means architects, designers and housebuilders have a straightforward route to compliance without needing deeper profiles or triple glazed units. This is thanks to our unique PUR thermal break technology, which delivers lower whole window U values across a wide range of styles and configurations.

For projects that call for a distinctive aesthetic or specific design features, we also offer the slimline, heritage-inspired Ali VU and the newly launched SPW+.  Both can be specified in double or triple glazing to help meet project specific U value requirements. This gives residential schemes the flexibility to balance performance, appearance and cost while still meeting the demands of both Part L and the Future Homes Standard.

Getting your house in order

Window performance will play a central role in achieving the outcomes set by the Future Homes Standard, and systems that offer dependable, future proof thermal performance will make the transition far smoother. That’s why partnering with a systems house that already has a tried and tested solution can help. Our patented PURe^® window system has been engineered from the outset to exceed current U-value targets, and our wider range of aluminium window systems is ready to support architects, designers and housebuilders as they plan ahead.

World Architecture Day is a celebration of the people who shape our built environment, but it is also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with that role. Housing is a human right, and creating homes that are warm, efficient and resilient is part of delivering on that promise.

We are here to help and our regional based team of architectural advisors are ready to discuss your next residential project, whether it’s a refurb project or new build scheme. Get in touch here