With the construction sector forecast to grow steadily through to 2027, EQUITONE by Etex has unveiled a new optimisation service designed to support architects in delivering high-performance, low-impact façade designs.

As demand for sustainable architecture, advanced building performance and innovative design becomes more widespread, manufacturers are being challenged to deliver more than just products. In response, EQUITONE, design-led fibre cement façade brand from Etex, has introduced a new optimisation service for architects and developers to support them in designing and delivering projects with less waste, lower carbon impact, and greater efficiency.

The launch comes as Glenigan publishes its Construction Industry Forecast (2025–2027), which projects sustained growth across the sector, with activity expected to rise by 3 per cent in 2025, 10 per cent in 2026, and 11 per cent by 2027. And, as growth picks up across commercial, education and mixed-use schemes – among other markets – there’s an increasing need for sustainable design solutions that are compliant with building safety standards, while also meeting the needs of tomorrow.

EQUITONE’s optimisation service directly addresses this and represents a strategic evolution of its technical services, aligning its offerings with the changing needs of architects, façade engineers, and contractors.

The service provides architects with tailored technical guidance from the early stages of the design process. Available for projects over 2,000 m², the service gives design teams in architect practices access to EQUITONE’s technical specialists, who review façade plans and identify opportunities for material efficiencies; to reduce waste, cut embodied carbon, and improve project outcomes through more considered sizing, layouts and installation strategies.

Up to 55 projects across Europe have benefited from using the service which has helped to avoid 15,000m² of surplus material and reduced embodied CO₂ by 155 tonnes, highlighting the benefits of smarter specification on both environmental and operational fronts.

“With construction momentum returning, there’s a renewed opportunity to make low impact design the standard, not the exception,” commented Matthew Castles, Technical Support Manager at EQUITONE. “This service is about helping architects realise their vision more efficiently by reducing unnecessary waste and supporting smarter use of materials from the outset.”

With the UK generating around 60 million tonnes of construction, demolition, and excavation (CDE) waste per year, there is a growing demand for waste minimisation and low-carbon development. EQUITONE’s optimisation service aids architects in proactively reducing waste by addressing sustainability and cost-efficiency from the early design stages.

EQUITONE’s façade materials are Cradle to Cradle Certified® (Bronze) and engineered for long-term durability; they are tamper-resistant, graffiti-resistant and designed for longevity. The Optimisation Service therefore helps to reduce raw material use, limit offcuts and improve environmental performance over the building’s lifecycle – all while complimenting early collaboration and circular thinking.

Matthew continued: “We’ve always encouraged architects to engage with us in the early stages to ensure compliant system design, reduce risk, and prevent costly rework. But early engagement goes beyond compliance, it’s also where the biggest sustainability gains can be made. By collaborating with our technical team from the outset, architects can unlock smarter ways to reduce waste, lower embodied carbon, and maximise the efficiency of their façade design.

“Sustainability is central to everything we do at EQUITONE, and this service is about enabling – and empowering – architects and developers to deliver buildings that perform better for people, and for the planet.”

Now available for eligible projects, the service forms part of EQUITONE’s wider Relentless Pursuit of a Vision campaign, a commitment to supporting architects in transforming design challenges into low impact, high-performance solutions. To learn more or to engage with Equitone’s technical team, visit: www.equitone.com/en