Briefing Document
Building Resilient Communities in the Age of AI and Climate Change through Stronger Shelters
Executive Summary
Artificial Intelligence is accelerating structural change across the global economy. Millions of jobs will be displaced
in the coming years, undermining wages and the ability of households to pay rent or mortgages. At the same time,
the impacts of climate change – including stronger storms and energy instability – are intensifying pressures on
housing and community infrastructure.
To address these challenges, this briefing sets out the urgent case for:
1. Large-scale deployment of garden rooms and modular buildings built from insulated composite metal
panels.
2. Expansion of reuse and repair industries, supported by decentralised workshops.
3. Integration of garden rooms and modular buildings into agricultural and rural development strategies, to
secure food supply and strengthen local economies.
1. The Case for Garden Rooms and Modular Buildings
Affordable & Lower Cost
Stronger & More Resilient Withstands winds up to 150 mph.
50% lighter than brick/concrete – portable and redeployable.
Multi-Purpose & Adaptable • Housing: Affordable living spaces.
• Work & Enterprise: Home offices and workshops.
• Emergency Uses: Housing, storage, civil defence.
• Agriculture & Food Supply: Installed in allotments and farms, supporting food secur
Energy Efficiency U-values as low as 0.13 W/m²K (vs 0.45–0.60 W/m²K for single-skin builds).
2. Reuse and Repair: A Critical Economic Sector
• The UK produces 22 million tonnes of household waste annually, with only 44% recycled.
• Repair and reuse industries could capture an additional £7 billion annually in retained value.
• Repairable goods sent to landfill include:
– 1.4 million tonnes of electronics.
– 336,000 tonnes of textiles.
Many of these activities can be carried out in garden rooms and modular buildings, helping people generate
income without reliance on commercial property.
3. Policy Implications and Leadership Role
Support for Mass Production: Encourage local manufacturing of insulated composite panels and streamline
planning for garden rooms and modular buildings.
Integration into Resilience Planning: Pre-deploy modular units for emergency housing and disaster relief;
include them in local climate adaptation plans.
Agriculture & Food Security: Install units in allotments and farms to reduce crop losses from poor storage.
Reducing post-harvest losses by 10% in the UK could feed 2 million more people annually.
Promotion of Reuse & Repair: Support training and community-led repair enterprises; councils can provide land
for garden rooms and modular workshops.
Conclusion
The combined pressures of artificial intelligence and climate change require urgent adaptation. By investing in
garden rooms and modular buildings, expanding reuse and repair industries, and supporting food security
through agricultural deployment, we can:
• Provide affordable housing and workspace.
• Strengthen climate resilience.
• Ensure a more secure and sustainable food supply.
• Build local economies based on reuse, repair, and self-reliance.
This is not a matter of luxury – it is a matter of foresight, preparedness, and responsibility.
Appendix: Alternatives to Garden Rooms and Modular Buildings
If AI disrupts employment and incomes collapse, garden rooms and modular buildings are one of the strongest solutions — but not the only one. Alternatives include:
1. Tiny Homes / Modular Micro-Housing: Standalone micro-houses produced from timber, SIPs, or shipping containers.
2. Community Land Trust Housing: Cooperative low-cost housing, replacing rent with contributions in labour or produce.
3. Shipping Container Conversions: Durable, portable, but requiring insulation.
4. Earth Shelters / Natural Building: Cob, rammed earth, or straw bale construction, labour-intensive but low cost.
5. Council-Supported Land Allotments: Councils offer land for self-built shelters, combining housing with food production.
6. Community-Scale Shared Facilities: Dormitory-style living with shared kitchens, workshops, and gardens.
Garden rooms and modular buildings stand out because they combine affordability, speed of deployment, resilience to weather, and flexibility of use.
