Sustainability Policy

December 2008

We consider embodied energy to be an under-estimated element of sustainability.  A typical family meal has 40,000 miles of embodied energy in it – the energy consumed by transport is significant.  Therefore we consider local materials as much as possible, preferably sourced from within a 50 mile radius.  For all of our local new build projects in which we specify brick or clay products, we specify Ibstock bricks.  These are produced in Ibstock, Leicestershire, a distance of 30 miles.  Our recent planning application for a residential development in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter specified such bricks.

Other significant points are:

• The collaborative attitude of our practice means that we consider all factors alongside the core issue of design at a very early stage, resulting in a simultaneous investigation of interior, exterior, landscape, sustainability, construction, materiality, cost, experience, and regulatory requirements. As such, sustainability for us is not a “bolt on” badge, but rather part of the process as our strapline declares,

“.......because design is verb and not just a noun.”

• Therefore, we consider sustainability to be more than the addition of renewable energy kit, true sustainability should be more embedded. Therefore, we consider the following at various points through a project:-

• sitting and orientation
• potential re-use of buildings
• appropriate densities for the social, political, cultural qualities of an area working from a starting point of not having to mechanically heat or cool and buildingas much as possible via :-

• natural ventilation facilitated by massing, sizing, and interior organisaton and design.
• using daylight and sunlight appropriately to light and heat spaces naturally
• careful consideration of size and position of glazing above pure aesthetic concerns
• user patters
• flexibility for future proofing
• the choice of materials and construction methods, including the efficient use of materials by sensible sizing
• possible future re-use of materials
• use of low maintenance products
• use of recycled products
• consider the lifestyle of all materials
• considering embodied energy in all aspects such as the origin of materials and methods of construction
• integration of public transport and encouraging pedestrian routes and links
• naturally landscaped areas
• use of technology to reduce physical movement of people by vehicular means
• minimising water waster via dual flush appliances and harvesting and using grey water.
• minimising artificial lighting through careful orientation of the spaces and proximity lighting.
• considering these factors early enough in the process to avoid non-integration and thus additiona; costs and energy.