Sustainability is, with very good reason, at the forefront of most peoples brief requirements when they approach us to work with them. It feels like the topic of sustainability is a factor of almost every brief that comes into the studio now, but more and more it is becoming a prerequisite to all of our project work for Clients. Over the past decade, this is showing that the understanding of 'green building' has transferred from commercial projects to home owners and how this applied to their own homes.
This is a very welcome engagement, and one that as a practice, we believe is critical over the next 10-20 years of building.

So what are the most common questions we are asked when starting on a brief for a 'green building?'

1. Is it expensive to build green?

2. How do you design a green building without lots of renewables?

3. What moves do you think are worthwhile whilst trying to achieve a 'green building?'

4. Will I actually notice the difference in day to day living and enjoyment of the spaces?

So I think the best way to start this journal post is to let you know my thoughts on the above. There is no key benchmark for home owner projects other than meeting building regulations compliance. It is always going to have to be a balance between budget and aspiration (isn't everything?!?) I strongly believe that the critical thinking is: 'What can I afford to do?' and, 'What is my responsibility to do?' The 'bottom line' is not the answer to either of these constraints - we all should try and go above and beyond where possible - it will affect us, our children and our children's children.

Q: Is it expensive to build green?

At the moment yes, but in the not too distant future hopefully not necessarily - it is no myth that it takes careful coordination, a detailed approach from the start of the project and the right team in place to guide you with the selection of material and products for a green build. More costs may therefore have to be associated with the design time needed to deal with these priorities. In a new build the budget can sometime be more easily managed as the coordination of services and materials can be integrated from the beginning. Where building green tends to become expensive is the level of servicing and specialised materials required. Until every refurb and new build project has a baseline standard of 'green' technologies that stautorially need to be integrated into every building, these materials will be considered 'specialised' and therefore are generally slightly more expensive.

The Courtyard House:
Green roof
Upgrade to all glazing
Increased levels of natural daylight to reduce artificial lighting
Central courtyard to increase levels of natural ventilation.

Q: How do you design a green building without lots of renewables?

This is often the basis for most of our design work - we focus on a fabric first approach to sustainable design. This is either in the form of a retrofit or new build, looking at ways of minimising heat loss and maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the day and year, reducing the requirement for artificial lighting and mechanical heating and ventilation. Key considerations are as follows:

1. Internal insulation lining the perimeter (external facing ) walls.

2. External insulation to outside of building where applicable

3. Replacement double or triple glazing for single glazed units.

4. Designing overhangs of roofs for solar shading to glazing where needed.

5. Green roofs to all flat roofs (this should become mandatory we think! Why would you not green a flat grey roof?)

6. Maximise natural ventilation utilising stack and cross ventilation.

7. Specification of Low carbon products

8. Specification of low VOC products.

9. Specification of renewable and recycled materials where possible.

Q: What moves do you think are worthwhile whilst trying to achieve a 'green building?'

Everything that you can afford is the answer to the above. However a fabric first approach is critical in trying to reduce the utility burden of your home. So in order of biggest impact for budget we would suggest the below:

1. Insulate all perimeter walls

2. Upgrade glazing

3. Design any alterations to the building to increase levels of natural daylight in order to minimise use of artificial lighting and make the most of passive solar gain. Making the most of the natural orientation of the building is key!

4. MVHR unit (if in budget) this is an amazing system to take in cold fresh air and heat it with outgoing warm stale air. I honestly couldn't believe the difference in air quality when we installed it in our home. No condensation anymore in the house which gave us a much healthier air quality.

5. Solar Hot Array - To heat your water using the sun. At our house we do not pay for hot water April - October - Its amazing!

6. On the ground floor if you are lifting the floors - look to put in an water based underfloor heating system. This operates at a much lower consistent temperature which means you can avoid spikes in your heating which are costly and difficult to manage.

7.If you have a flat roof and the waterproofing layer is in good nick - look at retrofitting a lightweight green roof finish to reduce rainwater run and increase biodiverse habitats.

Q: Will I actually notice the difference in day to day living and enjoyment of the spaces?

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes. Whilst the majority of the above techniques are hidden or passive, the impact they will have on your day to day living will be massive! It does however require a different approach to the understanding of how to use your home. Green buildings react slower and they respond to the environment and gather their heat and cool across the day and night. Temperatures and thermostats need to be set in advance to reflect patterns of use. Reduction in use of artificial lighting as well as increased natural ventilation is proved to improve mental health as well as look after your building fabric. It's not all about pay back from the grid, its about making better spaces that engage more proactively with the environment.

If you have a project that you would like to discuss with us in the studio, please contact us on 02082916947.

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Journal - Sustainability - Fraher & Findlay