The OVS Guide to Net Zero Architecture [Part 2]

In the fight against climate change, achieving net zero is a crucial strategy. The UK government has committed to achieving this by 2050. According to The Economist, Britain’s net zero target is one of the world’s most ambitious.

In Part 1 of the OVS Guide to Net Zero Architecture, we explored the concept of net zero, Passive House, designing for longevity and adaptive reuse. In Part 2, we dive deeper into sustainable, low-impact architectural design strategies that can be adopted on the journey to achieving net zero.

Materials

The Farmstead by OVS

Taking an imaginative approach to materials and their uses can significantly reduce embodied carbon and lead the way to net zero.

For insulation, materials like wood fibre, sheep’s wool, hempcrete, and cellulose (recycled paper) offer low-carbon alternatives to traditional foam or fibreglass, and they’re often more breathable and non-toxic.

We love using recycled metals, reclaimed timber, and natural plasters like lime or clay for their environmental credentials and their aesthetic potential. Locally sourced stone and wood like that used in our Farmstead project tie a home to its surroundings while also reducing transportation emissions.

Renewable, recycled, and non-toxic materials provide opportunities for beautiful design that gives a building a sense of place. These materials can also be reused or safely returned to the environment at the end of their life. Making those choices early in the design process sets a strong foundation for a building that truly meets net-zero standards.

Rammed Earth

A rammed earth wall at the Eden Project Visitors Centre by Grimshaw Architects

Rammed earth is an ancient building technique that provides a unique and creative alternative to the high carbon emissions of concrete and steel. It’s made by compacting a mixture of damp earth materials within a formwork to create solid walls that are incredibly durable. According to Rammed Earth Consulting, most of the Great Wall of China is either rammed earth or has a large component of rammed earth as foundation. They state that “Earth building has the lowest amount of embodied energy of any masonry material. Cement production accounts for 10% of global CO2 emissions in the world!”

Since rammed earth building uses local materials and has impressive thermal mass, it presents a viable, sustainable energy-saving option that also makes a timeless design statement.

Soil Reclamation

Soil reclamation might sound technical, but at its simplest, it is about giving damaged or neglected land a second chance by restoring its health so it can support life again - plants, microbes, even future buildings.

With the government’s revised National Policy Planning Framework and ambitious housing targets developers and designers are increasingly looking to reclaimed land, brownfield sites and overlooked industrial areas, instead of developing untouched green space. This approach can help reduce sprawl and can even store carbon if the soil is properly restored. When combined with net-zero design goals, soil reclamation takes sustainability a step further, caring not just for the building, but for the ground it stands on.

Toilet Waste Disposal

A composting toilet - thegoodviewloo by Nico Goebel

Toilet waste might not be the most glamorous topic, but it illustrates how taking a holistic approach can make buildings and lifestyles more environmentally sensitive and sustainable. Traditional flush toilets involve a large volume of clean water and send waste to energy-intensive treatment plants.

In contrast, more eco-friendly options, like composting toilets, vacuum flush systems, or blackwater recycling, can make a real difference. A composting toilet requires no water and instead breaks down waste on-site into usable compost. Vacuum systems use a fraction of the water, and blackwater recycling enables the safe reuse of wastewater. These solutions are especially useful in net-zero or off-grid projects, helping cut water use, reduce emissions, and make buildings more self-sufficient.

Solar Panels

Prefab two-story homes in Örebro, Sweden by Street Monkey Architects

Solar panels are essential to net zero and clean, renewable energy. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting operational carbon emissions to almost zero. Solar energy needn’t be an afterthought; architects and designers are increasingly exploring creative ways to incorporate solar energy into their projects, resulting in innovative and sculptural designs.

Your Project

Designing to achieve net zero involves technical expertise, creativity and strategic thinking. Get in touch with OVS today to see how we can help you reduce environmental impact and build sustainability into your project.