Green Building
We believe that it is important to design buildings which do not only help to reduce the human impact upon the planet, indeed they should aim to provide a positive impact on people and the environment for years to come. Not only will these eco projects be better for the planet, but they will be less expensive to heat, easier to operate, healthier, and more comfortable for the occupants than other less environmentally friendly buildings.
We take this responsibility seriously and we hope that as architects, we can guide the client through the construction process, helping them to make more sustainable design decisions and delivering projects with high environmental standards.
Our Green Ethos
The UK government has now declared an environment and climate emergency with many local authorities, including Bristol, committing to being carbon neutral by 2030.
Architecture and construction will play a vital role in this change, with buildings currently accounting for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide. The construction, occupation and usage of the world’s buildings consumes about 50% of all raw materials annually.
Going Green Makes Sense
As the cost of living soars due to the ever-increasing prices of gas and electricity, many people are realising that going green makes sense, in that living in an energy efficient home saves money over the long run, and renewable energy such as solar can even provide a reliable income source.
Living in a warm, draft free home also has huge health benefits and can help prevent damp conditions which lead to mould growth and respiratory problems.
Our Green Design Process
At the beginning of the project we look to develop a carefully considered environmental brief which is tailored for the client’s project, site, budget and aspirations.
If we are working with an existing building for retrofit, we will undertake a sustainability assessment which will review the current energy performance of the dwelling and identify opportunities and challenges with upgrading the building Learn more about our sustainability assessments here.
Developing the Eco Design
Our strategy for sustainability varies from project to project and can depend upon the site, context, aims and aspirations for the scheme. Our project might look to focus on one or more of these strategies for sustainability:
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Passive house design which uses high levels of insulation, draft free construction and mechanical ventilation to make very low energy buildings
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Passive design which harnesses the power of the sun for heating and cooling.
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Usage of natural, bio-based materials and the avoidance of petrochemical insulations and building products.
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Low embodied energy and low embodied carbon construction.