Sustainability

Good design should be based on ecological considerations.  Our homes should work in sympathy with our natural environment. We are healthier in buildings that have been properly designed with this in mind.

We should consider if we need to build new, or whether the old can be rearranged to work for current needs. We should consider how much to build, how long it could last.

We should consider the energy needs of our buildings. For new houses we should consider building to high standards that require little additional heat. In upgrading buildings there is a fine balance in improving and retaining the existing fabric.

We should consider the carbon footprint of our buildings, and use materials that have a lower embodied carbon. Trees capture carbon through growth, so building in timber locks carbon in the building fabric.

We should try to reuse materials where possible, and avoid extracting new materials, particularly where these are finite.

Use of natural materials achieves a better air quality and contact with nature and natural materials enhances comfort and wellbeing.

The introduction of onsite renewable technology such as air source heat pumps further reduce the demand on electrical grid.

We should make decisions that have long term value to society. When we build, this should be done so that buildings have long term appeal with construction that endures.

We should think carefully, act responsibly, and built well.