sustainable development

"Using sustainable resources to meet our needs both now and in the future."

Environmental issues are fundamentally important to a successful business strategy and our commitment to sustainability applies as much to the way we run our business as to the buildings we design. We minimise the use of our own energy and an Environmental Management System that meets the requirements of ISO 14001 2004 allows us to control and improve our environmental performance.

From the start of any design project, we build in principles that include long life, adaptability, flexibility and minimal running costs. Fortunately, the design of an environment that successfully contributes to healing and wellbeing will already have a strong focus on natural light, high quality internal lighting, thermal comfort and fresh air - but there are many other factors to take into account.

Re-use and retain

Wherever possible, we’ll re-use and retain existing site features and materials, including structures and mature planting.

Light and energy

The shape of a building can maximise natural light and innovative lighting controls can dim or extinguish artificial lighting when it is no longer required. We’ll use the natural orientation of the building to minimise direct solar gain so that we can avoid the use of air conditioning. Alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal power will always be considered.

Ventilation

Rooms that do not need mechanical ventilation can be situated on the perimeter of a building and innovative, safe window designs can enhance natural ventilation.

Materials and waste

We use responsibly sourced and recyclable materials that have achieved an A or A+ rating in the green guide to specification and our designs will always include space for recyclable waste.

Our designs take sustainable issues into consideration using BREEAM, the most widely used environmental assessment method for sustainable design in buildings, as required by The Department of Health.

Ken Hodgson - has overall reponsibility for sustainable development at The Design Büro