Our designs try to incorporate the following features which contribute to the energy efficiency of the buildings we design.

-High openings to allow the solar chimney effect for passive user controlled ventilation.

-Walls and floors with high thermal mass for retaining heat in winter and cool in summer.

-South facing glazing (with shading) for solar gain in winter.

-None or small windows in north  facing walls.

-Creative use of natural light to reduce the need for electric lights.

-Locally produced materials, that are from renewable resources wherever possible.

-No use of tropical non renewable hardwoods.

-Minimal or no useage of plastics or oil based products.

-No air conditioning, passive ventilation and cooling only.

-Extra insulation in roofs which are the most vulnerable element to heat loss.

Usually these strategies involve little or no extra cost to the client and are easy and straightforward to implement. Where budgets allow we are very keen to encourage further methods of energy saving and will explore any that the site allows.

In the last ten years construction has been identified as a major contributor to global warming, while this is true sustainability has a wider implication and meaning. It encompasses the sustainability of our communities and micro and macro economies. Our immediate economies are failing as the world becomes more corporate and globalised industries centralise everything. While in the past, building a house would have kept several local craftsmen and local industries busy, today the decision to build a house generally benefits a contractors ledger and some national or international suppliers profit margin. When  designing/specifying a construction project we endeavour to use local tradesmen and consultants, and wherever possible locally sourced products or materials, this in the short, medium and long term creates a sustainable economy and cuts down on the impact on the environment. Economies have to be local, or communities, buildings and the people within them will become less viable.

The philosophy should form the basis of any sustainable policy especially on small scale developments.

Current regulations insist upon highly insulated, energy efficient boilers, heating and air conditioning. We can use ground sourced heat pumps, photovoltaics, and minimum and low impact materials, we also understand that many clients good intentions are undermined by cost versus benefit at the costing/budget stage of a job. We believe that the above localised can make a real difference to the sustainability of  a project often for no extra cost while still remaining energy efficient by simply adhering to the regulations and improving as the budget allows.