Applied Sustainability
We are deeply committed to building a better future through a pragmatic yet ambitious approach to sustainability.
Often with limited resources and means, we strive to push the limits of what is attainable. Ensuring our projects are resilient and prepared for the evolving demands of tomorrow.
Sustainability, in its simplest form, means making decisions now that positively affect the future.
Decisions that balance economic sense, environmental care, and social well-being.
The 3 Aspects to Sustainable Development
When it comes to the design and construction a custom project, sustainability can be achieved by considering and acting on three aspects:
The attitude of decision-makers
Practical applications
Innovation and technology.
By incorporating elements from each, the level of sustainability in a project can be greatly influenced.
Sustainability is not an absolute but rather a spectrum of intent and action. Which is why it is essential to consider these factors throughout the project's development.
“From little things, big things grow”
— Paul Kelly
1. Attitude of Decision makers
The attitude of decision makers (usually the client) sets the tone for the entire project. We offer guidance to uncover how sustainable your project could be, and what decisions could support this. Consider the following;
Scale: The physical size of your project is the single greatest factor in determining the extents of the materials and costs in construction. Deciding to pursue quality over quantity can greatly reduce the resources required to build. Do you really need that 5th bedroom?
Lifespan: How long should this building last? Is it temporary or is it a forever home? Decisions during the design process should respect the nature of your buildings permanence.
Value in heritage: Not everything needs to be new + modern. Heritage and history have value. Culturally, emotionally, aesthetically, economically. Appreciating this (respecting both what is currently deemed heritage and what could be heritage of the future) should add weight to decisions made.
Love + appreciation: How much of you goes into this project? The emotions and love we feel for sentimental buildings can not be underestimated. It’s the difference between fighting for something, restoring it, treasuring it. The idea that we don’t have to demolish and build new, but rather adapt and cherish avoids waste + adds value. If you love it, you find a way to make it work.
Defined Principles: Having a clear strategy creates a harmonious and thorough plan of action. Write down sustainable principles and include these in the project brief so they become an integral part of the design process.
2. Practical Applications
Our pursuit of sustainability manifests in simple applications that harmonize human needs with ecological awareness.
With a focus on practicality, the understanding and implementation of energy-efficient design principles can yield big results.
Passive House Principles: Making sensible and informed decisions that improve the function of a house and reduce reliance on additional technologies. Orientation, natural light, ventilation, insulation, passive heating/cooling, etc.
Building methodology: How is this project going to be built? Prefabricated, Timber, SIPS panels, Printed, Concrete, Mud, Hay bails, Earth house? Deciding this early ensures planning is harmonious with the construction method. If your planning is better suited to timber frame, but you want to pursue SIPS or vice versa, you will struggle to make your project sing. Choose a building method that syncs with your design vision.
Materials: The palette of materials should be carefully considered with an understanding of the pros and cons attached to each. A house is built comprising hundreds of different materials across a variety of categories. Within each category, decisions can be made to select a more sustainable option, usually with cost/ availability or performance ramifications.
Keeping it Local: Sourcing materials, trades, skills, resources from local outlets is a simple and effective way to practise sustainability
Recycle/ reuse: Re-use is a fundamentally powerful sustainable action.
Water + Waste Management: Efficient Water Use Strategies. Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater Recycling + Water Conservation Technologies. Minimizing Construction Waste. Sustainable Waste Management Systems
Agriculture and Landscape Design: Sustainable Landscaping Techniques. Urban Agriculture and Green Spaces or private produce gardens. Integration of Permaculture Principles
3: Technology and Innovations
There is a growing availabílity of technologies that propose sustainable benefits and improved user experience.
Renewable Energy Systems:
Harnessing the Power of Nature (solar power systems, wind, tidal, geothermal heating and cooling)
Reducing Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Advancements in Energy Storage
Smart Building Automation:
Optimizing Energy Performance + Enhancing Occupant Comfort
Data-driven Decision Making +Single point of control to make automation user friendly, understandable and insightful
Green Building Certifications:
Recognizing or choosing to reject international standards depending on applicability. Sustainable Excellence (LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or WELL Building Standard
Demonstrating Environmental Performance + Embracing Best Practices
Digital Tools and Building Information Modeling (BIM):
Streamlining Design and Construction
Visualizing Sustainability
Improving Lifecycle Management
Material Innovations + Advancements in Construction Techniques
All these ideas will be discussed and developed throughout the course of our design process.
