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From the Ground Up: How We Approach Sustainability

Olivier Jauniaux

Sustainability has become something of a buzzword in recent years, but at OVS, sustainability is more than just a box to tick, it is at the heart of what we do.


Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s all about reducing our impact! And even when we are designing our eco projects, we don’t really focus on a specific branded benchmark, instead we aim for near Net Zero Impact Building (NZIB). Here are some simple ways we approach environmentally responsible architecture and interior design.


Renovate & Reuse


We are often asked to add value to an existing property by extending and reconfiguring spaces. Renovations have sustainable potential because they don’t have the same environmental impact as brand-new constructions. A renovation or extension also provides opportunities for reusing materials and reimagining existing structures.


By selecting locally sourced materials and materials with lower embodied carbon, we can reduce the environmental impact of construction while supporting local economies. Some of our material choices include recycled steel and locally sourced timber.

 



Renovation also encourages preservation, a key aspect of sustainable development. In a renovation or extension project, we can sensitively combine the old and the new, preserving historical features and architectural character.


Energy Efficiency


It goes without saying that energy use is a central aspect of eco-conscious design. We have many options up our sleeves when it comes to providing cost-effective energy-efficient solutions.


Using passive design strategies, we minimise the need for artificial heating, cooling, and lighting by utilising a building’s orientation, climate, and materials. For example, in our design schemes, we position spaces to maximise natural light and ventilation. Understanding thermal mass allows us to employ materials to stabilise temperatures, such as concrete or stone to absorb, store, and release heat. Understanding the flow of air and light through space allows us to reconfigure layouts to maximise these properties. For example, our designs are often characterised by skylights and apertures that reduce the need for artificial lighting and open up a space.



Energy performance is key when designing the envelope of a building; we incorporate high-performance insulation, energy-efficient glazing, reflective roofs, and airtight construction to prevent energy loss.


OVS prides itself on staying current when it comes to new energy-saving, from rainwater harvesting to solar heating; we love technologies that reduce reliance on non-renewable resources.


Wellbeing


Of utmost importance in our approach to design is how a project harmonises with its environment and how its occupants feel within a space. In this way, we can leverage natural light, ventilation, glazing and materials to celebrate surrounding landscapes and increase a sense of well-being.

 

By making the boundaries between inside and outside permeable our designs honour green spaces and nature, from small city gardens to large-scale projects in areas of outstanding natural beauty.  


 

Longevity


A sustainable building isn’t just energy-efficient, it’s resilient, adaptable, and able to meet the changing needs of its occupants. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how sustainable your project is if it won’t last long enough. All buildings have a lifespan and there needs to be a careful balance between the most sustainable materials and ones that last. This enters our calculations as we work with specialist engineers and consultants to design the most efficient and long lasting project we can. However, when buildings eventually reach the end of their life, the work doesn’t stop there… just as we spoke about reuse above, so does our architecture need to be reused. We always aim for our work to demountable where possible so that our buildings can be reincarnated into the next generation.


Do you have questions about a potential renovation or how to make your project more sustainable? Get in touch with us to day to find out how OVS can help.




 

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