Happy Earth Day!
For this year’s Earth Day, we are proud to share how our designs are paving the way towards a Net Zero future. At Architecta, sustainability isn't just a goal; it's a guiding principle that shapes every aspect of our practice. As we commemorate Earth Day, we're excited to highlight the strategies and principles we embed in our designs that contribute to a more sustainable built environment. From energy-efficient buildings to specifying sustainable low carbon materials, our commitment to sustainability is evident in every project we do.
Acting Now to Save Our Planet: The Urgency of Climate Action
Scientists continue to sound the alarm: we have less than a decade to avert irreversible damage to our planet. The latest assessment from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6) leaves no room for doubt. Published in 2023, the IPCC Synthesis Report consolidates five years of research on global temperature rises, fossil fuel emissions, and climate impacts. To stay within the 1.5°C limit, emissions must be slashed by at least 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, and by at least 60% by 2035. This decade is our window of opportunity, our last chance to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
At Architecta, we're committed to action, working to LETI (Low Energy Transformation Initiative) targets to ensure our designs are designed with Net Zero in mind. LETI's roadmap mandates that by 2030, all new buildings must meet Net Zero carbon standards. To follow LETI's path to zero carbon, we need to rethink the way we design and build. While the changes required may seem daunting, they are both necessary and achievable.
Passivhaus Design:
We prioritise designing truly energy-efficient buildings using Passivhaus principles in every design. By harnessing the power of the sun to naturally heat homes, our designs minimise energy consumption and therefore reduce energy bills. With a dedicated Passivhaus-accredited designer on our team, we have the expertise to deliver Passivhaus-accredited projects, ensuring that your home achieves the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability.
Net Zero Operational Carbon:
Buildings designed to Passivhaus standards can readily achieve net zero carbon by incorporating heat pumps and renewable energy sources like solar panels due to their low heating demand. We strive for all our projects to have a low operational carbon to ensure a low carbon footprint and low energy bills. Allows
Low Embodied Carbon:
We minimise the embodied carbon of our designs by looking to specify low-impact materials and renewable materials. Where possible we look to designing for disassembly and reuse, to ensure our buildings can be used again and again. We design with a construction life that exceeds the norm. Thinking about how our designs can stand the test of time.
Retrofit:
Adapting and retrofitting existing buildings reduces the carbon footprint of construction while preserving our architectural heritage. 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 are already built, so we need to ensure that our homes and buildings are up to the task of achieving net zero through retrofit. We at Architecta provide a retrofit assessment service that helps you to understand the energy and carbon your home uses and suggest ways you can improve this through retrofit measures.
Post Occupancy:
It’s important to understand how our buildings are performing in use. We can make energy models to predict this but it will never be as accurate as understanding how you, as an individual, use your home in real time. Incorporating meters and continually monitoring the energy our buildings use allows for adjustments to be made so that we can ensure that the building is achieving Net Zero carbon in operation.
Sustainable Transport:
We prioritise ensuring that our larger schemes are connected to sustainable transport links. whether that’s bus stops, ensuring that we think about cycle storage, and creating compact, walkable communities with access to public transportation to reduce reliance on cars and promote active transportation.
Water Consumption:
Water is essential to life and we ensure that we include water conservation measures, including low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting and even using greywater systems to help reuse water where possible.
Biophilic Design:
We recognise the human desire for a connection to nature. We seek to integrate this into our designs, aiming to create environments that nourish the body, mind, and soul, through maximising natural light, introducing water features, using natural materials, and providing views of nature. Biophilic design creates spaces that promote physical and mental health. Studies have shown that exposure to nature improves mood, reduces stress, and enhances productivity and creativity.
Education:
We are dedicated to educating clients, contractors, and the public about sustainable design practices. We are passionate about sharing knowledge to contribute to better understanding of the transition to Net Zero. We regularly share our expertise at public events covering topics such as sustainable design, net zero, and embodied carbon for various audiences including businesses, associations, societies, schools, and conferences. Our team is available for booking for public speaking engagements and webinars. We are also open to collaborating with schools to educate the next generation about sustainability, guiding them on how to contribute to a net-zero future. We also provide insights into career opportunities in architecture, design, and sustainability, inspiring young minds to explore these fields and understand the diverse roles available.
Activism:
Activism is an integral part of our commitment to addressing the climate crisis. We actively participate in climate protests, including initiatives like the Global Climate Strike and Fridays for Future. By joining these movements, we amplify our voices and contribute to raising awareness about the urgency of climate action. Through peaceful protests and advocacy efforts, we strive to inspire meaningful change and urge policymakers to take decisive action to combat climate change. Our involvement in these protests is not just a demonstration of our commitment to sustainability; it's a call to action for individuals, communities, and governments worldwide to prioritise environmental stewardship and work towards a sustainable future for all.
Architecture and design have a crucial role to play in combating climate change. As architects, we must prioritise sustainable design principles in every project to make a meaningful impact in the next decade. Let's rise to the challenge and create a future we can be proud of.
