Building Performance

We are acutely aware that our greatest indirect impact is in our building designs, and we strive to provide efficient and low carbon solutions, targeting the RIBA 2030 Challenge targets where possible. We are introducing embodied carbon calculations and alternative methods of construction to assist in reducing whole life cycle carbon, as well as utilising our in house Passivhaus designers to help deliver low operational energy buildings. We have a great deal of experience in retrofitting existing buildings, either for new uses or to improve the existing layout for the current users.  In either case, improvements to the existing energy efficiency and performance of the fabric are critical to assisting in meeting our Climate goals. Our processes for assessing the potential for circular economy thinking on a project includes:

Build less

• Review feasibility of retaining existing elements for refurbishment
• Review structural elements for repurposing elsewhere
• Review space for efficiency – reducing the amount of building can result in lower carbon
• Less material = lower costs and shorter programme
• Review materials for reuse
• Simplify the design, less material is less carbon, and often easier to build and performs better in use.

Build light

• Review material weights and spans for structural elements
• Optimise material usage to reduce waste and consider biogenic materials – natural, and renewable sources can
• Record environmental performance of materials via EPDs (Environmental Performance Declaration)

Build for the future

• Identify and reduce high embodied carbon hotspots, such as structures and facades
• Rationalise grids and consider future alternative uses
• Recording building materials data for future use
• Consider mechanical fixings to allow for deconstruction, retrofitting or repurposing later
• Consider maintenance costs, as well as the environmental impact