Sustainable Design
For us, sustainability is a way of designing, present in every decision: from reusing and refurbishing existing buildings, to low-carbon materials, green technologies and low energy use in operation. We think it across the building's whole life cycle, balancing environmental performance with people's health and comfort. We have the experience of BREEAM Outstanding certified buildings, and for us efficiency always means better architecture.
Sustainability is not a separate chapter of the project, nor a list of equipment added at the end. It is a way of designing, present in every decision: where you place the building, how far you open it to the south, what you keep of what already exists, what you build it with and how much it costs to keep running.
Reuse and refurbishment of existing buildings
The most sustainable building is often the one that already exists. Before demolishing, we assess the potential for reuse: refurbishment, structural strengthening and bringing existing structures back to life, with heritage conservation where heritage is present. We adapt buildings for new uses, keep the structure and the valuable elements and in doing so reduce construction waste and the embodied carbon footprint.
Low energy use in operation
We design passive first, active second. Orientation, form, insulation, airtightness and solar gain control reduce the energy demand before any equipment is considered. Through energy simulation and envelope optimisation we pursue buildings with low consumption and low long-term running costs, with daylight and ventilation properly thought through, for real performance in operation rather than on paper.
Green technologies integrated from concept
Green technologies enter at concept stage, not as a final addition: renewable sources, heat recovery, intelligent building management, rainwater harvesting and reuse, green roofs and facades. Technology remains a means rather than an end, and we use it where it brings a real gain in performance and comfort.
Comfort, health and durability
Sustainability does not stop at energy. We look after indoor air quality, thermal, acoustic and visual comfort, daylight and the connection to the outside, for healthy spaces where people feel well. We design buildings that are easy to maintain and to adapt over time, so that the value of the investment outlasts the immediate life cycle.
Low-carbon materials
With materials we pursue a lower carbon footprint in two directions: the amount of carbon embodied in the structure and the envelope, and the service life of the finishes. A material that has to be replaced every five years is not cheap, whatever it costs to buy.
We have experience with buildings certified BREEAM Outstanding, which means documentation, verification and accountability on every criterion, not just declared intentions. If a project targets certification, we structure the process from the start, because most of the points are won or lost in the decisions taken in the first weeks.
For an investor the argument is not moral, it is financial. A building with low consumption, healthy occupants and predictable maintenance costs lets better, is easier to finance and holds its value over time. For us, efficiency always means better architecture.
We think about sustainability across the whole life cycle of the building, balancing environmental performance with the health and comfort of the people using it. If you want to know what is realistic for your project and at what cost, write to us.