We constantly hear in the news of warnings about global warming, the need to reduce our carbon footprint, and the importance of sustainability in everything we do. So, it’s no wonder that the chartered architectural profession is embracing this ethos by promoting sustainable architecture in more and more new build projects.
Prime Architecture in Cross Hands, Llanelli is a local practice that takes its approach to sustainability very seriously by actively encouraging clients to look at developing eco homes, rather than traditional builds.
Sustainable Architecture First Hand
Says Cellan Jones, a Director and MCIAT at Prime Architecture:“Sustainable architecture is when we look at the thermal forms of a building, as well as how we can reduce the carbon footprint of that building during the design and construction process. Sustainable architecture is when we design a house which can sit in the landscape and can be architecturally outstanding in the countryside, for example.”
Hear more about Prime Architecture’s approach to sustainability in the video below:
Stages to Sustainable Architectural Design
There are a number of different stages to effective sustainable architectural design including:
- Concept design, which involves the inspection of the project site to assess the conditions and constraints, as well as meetings for briefing purposes to establish the long-term objectives for the project, including all eco and sustainable options.
- Sketch design drawings, these normally include concept sketches, diagrams, and other information to explain the proposed sustainable design solution, including guidance on materials and finishes.
- Detailed designs follow once the sketch designs have been approved, and include construction plans, materials and finishes in line with the project budget and site constraints. Practices like Prime Architecture will also help you to visualise your sustainable building by creating a computer-generated 3D model which can even include “fly-throughs”, allowing you to virtually see the design proposal at first hand.
- The next stage for your chartered architectural professional is to develop the final design to incorporate drawings, and schedules listing materials and finishes to explain the scheme’s sustainability. A chartered architectural designer will also co-ordinate the design work being undertaken by the other consultants to ensure that they comply with the architectural intent of the scheme. At this stage, your architect will also be in touch with the building regulations and planning authorities to get project approval.
Prime Architecture
If you intend to project manage all or part of your sustainable building project, then you are responsible for managing the above process, as well as carrying out your own due diligence on building materials, suppliers and other contractors involved in your project.
However, if you don’t have the skills or knowledge to design, develop or manage your sustainable project yourself, call the team at Prime Architecture today to book a free consultation:
