sustainability
Sustainability, and resilience
Low carbon materials
Innovation
Sustainable design is an approach to architecture that considers the impact your building has on the environment. Buildings and the carbon they produce have had a substantial impact on Climate change. Through careful consideration Forward Studio, can help reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some of the things to consider when creating a low carbon building.
A holistic approach to sustainable design that recognises the overall impact buildings have on our environment and communities in which they exist and that there are many ways in which we can make better buildings.
EMBODIED CARBON
In 2017, 11% of global carbon released was associated with the embodied carbon in buildings. That is the carbon associated with the manufacture and transport of materials used to make buildings. Embodied carbon can represent up to 50% of the carbon released over a building’s life.
For example, in brick manufacture, carbon is released burning natural gas to fire bricks, or when fuel is burnt during the transportation from factory to site.
The use of concrete in construction is the single biggest contributor to the embodied carbon in a building. Using engineered timber such as CLT can be a great alternative.
1. derived with IEA (2017), World energy Statistics and Balances, IEA/OECD, Paris, www.iea.org/statistics
A holistic approach to sustainable design that recognises the overall impact buildings have on our environment and communities in which they exist and that there are many ways in which we can make better buildings.
Energy use
In 2017, 28% of global carbon is associated with energy used to heat, cool and light buildings. Fossil fuels burnt to heat homes or produce electricity.
One of the ways to reduce carbon is to create NZEB “nearly zero-energy” buildings. These are high-quality buildings that are well insulated and designed to utilise passive heating and cooling to use limited energy.
We can do this using approaches and certifications such as Passive House.
1. derived with IEA (2017), World energy Statistics and Balances, IEA/OECD, Paris, www.iea.org/statistics
A holistic approach to sustainable design that recognises the overall impact buildings have on our environment and communities in which they exist and that there are many ways in which we can make better buildings.
Circular economy
Understanding the origin of our materials and products, what happens when we no longer need them is a crucial part of being sustainable.
A circular economy describes an economic system that aims to eliminate waste and continually use resources. A circular economy can include reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling. The construction industry can play a significant role.
