Sharing Responsibility for our Environment

Social and environmental responsibilities have been enshrined in our constitution (link to summary of constitution on our website (adapted from exhibition copy)) since the practice was founded. Over time, we have seen the importance of these responsibilities – as well as public awareness of them – increase significantly.
As architects, we recognise that we cannot address the huge challenges of climate change and global warming on our own. However, we can proactively work with our clients and consultant teams to design environmentally responsible buildings and cities for the future.
Sustainability has always been a major force in shaping the practice’s approach to design. Every project we work on – whatever its scale – is a direct response to its wider context and should embrace the challenges of energy use and environmental impact, as well as being commercially and socially sound. We aspire to delivering high quality, high density developments preferably on brownfield sites with strong potential for public transport links. Our schemes seek to preserve green, open areas and create vibrant public space. In our view, the best developments create communities and a sense of place, allowing people to live, work and access amenities in the same area.
An holistic approach to design helps to limit the impact of our buildings on the environment, both in terms of the way they are constructed and the way they operate, once completed. Working with our clients, we match our expertise to the design of cities, neighbourhoods and buildings where pollution and carbon emissions are minimised. From the earliest stages of a design, we work closely with structural and environmental engineers to create efficient buildings. Our priority is to find alternative – and preferably passive – means of operation. We design buildings that require less heating, cooling and lighting, and that use materials suitable for their climate and urban context. Working with the climate, rather than against it, results in architecture that responds to its location.

Our designs are flexible enough to accommodate future technological developments and changing uses. The urban landscape changes and evolves, as do the needs and desires of the people who inhabit it – therefore the ability for a scheme to respond to change is integral to our design process. Our buildings have been recognised with numerous environmental awards and have achieved LEED Platinum and BREEAM Excellent standards.
We have a culture of innovation and embrace new developments in materials, building techniques and technology. At the same time, we monitor regulatory requirements and good practice using existing materials. Wherever possible, we focus on reducing the energy consumption of our buildings to help safeguard the viability of renewable sources in the future. We aim to surpass minimum building regulations for energy use and environmental performance.
We have undertaken environmental footprint audits of our own practice and procedures and aim – progressively and continuously – to reduce the environmental impact of our professional activities.
As a practice, we continually look to developing innovative, practical solutions for all our projects which minimise their long-term environmental impact; that sustain rather than pollute; that are adaptable rather than replaceable; which set new standards; and that add value over time rather than falling prey to short-term economies.