Environmental & Sustainability Policies
In the work we complete for our clients we recognise our responsibility to the environment so we always design from first principles. This way we ensure best practices from the outset rather than applying secondary green ‘bolt-ons’ to help improve the performance of our buildings. We adopt passive systems rather than high-tech solutions, which involves making the building work hard in its own right.
The practice also recognises its responsibility to promote the sustainable use of the world’s valuable natural resources and it understands the impacts that it could have upon the environment during the course of carrying out its work.
We are committed to achieving excellent environmental performance at all times, regardless of the size or type of work that is being undertaken. All our recent University buildings have achieved their energy targets in design, operation and use.
Alongside the professional advice that we give to our clients we also adopt these procedures into our everyday business activities. The practice is therefore ISO 9001 and 14001 registered and our Environmental & Sustainability Policy and Policy Statement can be downloaded here
St. Alphege
BREEAM Excellent & EPC A
- Natural ventilation & air quality
- Heating and cooling
- Individually controlled rooms
- Daylight harvesting
- Low water usage and leak detection
British Embassy, Sana’a
- Brise soleil minimises solar-gain
- Exploits the cool night air
- Concrete structure provides thermal mass
- A labyrinth pre-cools air
- Rainwater & solar collecting roof
Gifford HQ
Low Energy Building of the Year
- Minimal energy loss through the building fabric
- Highly insulated robust breathing wall system
- Optimised glazing ensures good natural light
- Exposed thermal mass
- Air intake duct & Swirl diffusers
Photography Building
BREEAM Excellent
- Glazed fins reflect, diffuse and moderate natural daylight
- Roof lights, windows and ventilation louvres
- Controlled natural light
- Low-energy environmental control
John Henry Brookes
BREEAM Excellent & EPC B
- Exposed thermal mass acts as a heat sink
- Night-time purging
- Cross ventilation
- Natural ventilation by solar chimneys
- Façades minimise solar gain & maximise daylight
Student Services
Passivhaus (design)
- Innovative insulated concrete formwork
- Triple-glazed facades
- Bespoke mechanical & environmental systems
- Air-tight building envelope
- Minimal energy consumption and running costs