Design Smarter: The Case for Sustainable Thinking
In her latest blog, Madelaine Bradley discusses the benefits of welcoming sustainable development, how to talk about sustainable design and how to avoid tick-boxing and greenwashing.
Concrete isn’t the foundation for life. Nature is
We must remain positive to avoid becoming deflated. Dwelling on the planet’s decline can emotionally overwhelm people. Let’s focus on solutions, because when we know better, we can grow better.
Early engagement reduces cost
Involving sustainability consultants early in a project’s planning phase is not just smart; it’s essential. Early assessments, such as overheating, SBEM, and daylighting studies, help flag potential issues before they become costly design or programme changes. This early input allows sustainable solutions to be integrated seamlessly from the outset.
Key design elements like building orientation, window placement, and material choices are expensive to revise after planning approval. For example, an early overheating assessment could justify natural ventilation strategies, avoiding the need for mechanical systems like MVHR or late-stage remediation.
Thinking sustainably from the start ensures your design meets required standards, reduces risk, and avoids surprises down the line. Treat sustainability as a living part of your design journey; check in regularly, keep evolving, and let it shape smarter, more resilient outcomes.
Long-term energy savings
Passivhaus is now a mainstream choice in the UK, and retrofitting is gaining momentum. The EnerPHit standard, developed by the Passivhaus Institute, emphasises upgrading buildings to boost energy efficiency and reduce the risk of mould and surface condensation.
Retrofit 2035 promotes a ‘whole house’ approach to bridge the gap between expected and actual energy performance. It’s now a requirement on some government-backed projects to ensure homes are safe, efficient, and future-ready.
Consider these stats:
- 20% of UK homes were built over 100 years ago
- 38% pre-date the first housing standards in 1946
- 78% were built before any building regulations
Today’s developments are designed to leave a legacy, so futureproofing is key to long-term comfort and satisfaction. With three certified Passivhaus designers in-house, we’re ready to help.
The Future Homes Standard and Part L are raising the bar, requiring homes to:
- Be climate-ready with minimal retrofit
- Reduce reliance on grid energy
- Encourage renewables
- Deliver performance through in-use testing
- Measure and reduce whole-life carbon
- Support regenerative, nature-positive solutions.
Updates to follow as we know more. Watch this space!
Increased property value
Even if you or your client don’t intend to use the property and benefit from long-term savings, studies show that sustainable real estate commands a higher value and that companies with more sustainable ESG goals have greater investment. With the cost of living in mind, buyers increasingly ask about energy efficiency to save on expensive energy bills.
Green mortgage rates include lower rates and cash back incentives on buildings that perform well, such as an A or B rating. Some banks offer a 0% interest Green Additional Borrowing mortgage, allowing you to borrow money for performance improvements, including EV charging points, solar panels, insulation, etc.
Certifications such as PassivHaus, BREEAM, and LEED can increase a building’s market value and credibility, but sustainability is more than just good PR and virtue signalling.
Feel good factor
Studies show that making genuinely green choices can be a feel-good factor for both the design team and the client. Active choice encourages us to re-evaluate the meaning behind our actions and how they align with our personal morals, even when acting unsustainably is more convenient. Ignoring sustainability comes with a long-term cost.
When all players see that they are working towards tangible benefits, a sense of purpose drives people over complex hurdles and design challenges, turning the deadline into a goal.
When we can adapt to this changing world, this gives you or your client a better return on investment by increasing stakeholder satisfaction and resilience.
Reflection and target hitting
The Government cannot be relied on to force change, as we need to achieve better than the minimum regulations. Sustainable leadership ensures that our sustainability strategy is implemented and our goals are met.
Ask yourself, ‘What is the bigger picture purpose of this project?’ The three Ps – people, planet, and profit – combine to form the Triple Bottom Line, which weighs all impacts when considering financial reporting and corporate decision-making so that we can grow better.
What are the project’s short-term and long-term impacts, both intended and unintended? We do not work in a vacuum. We must be honest about setbacks or slow progress and avoid tempting bolt-on green-washing gimmicks.
Here are some more questions you can use to reflect throughout the project:
- How does your contribution, small or brief, fit into the larger picture? Join the dots between your efforts and the end result.
- Does the design team share the same ethos? Can you highlight the connections of their work and how it will relate to the end goal to evidence what they can achieve?
- Are you proactive about issues that matter to you, be it sustainability, diversity, inclusion etc? Could there be a receptive audience for your voice?
If the project hasn’t completely aligned with your goals, use that experience to shape your future projects. Reflect on and understand what lessons can be learned from this project, and make those lessons worthwhile by sharing them with others.
How should we talk to clients about sustainability?
Using simple terms makes discussions relatable and helps everyone stay on the same page. Ask yourself if you have any personal goals or are currently working towards anything that could use more support. Feel free to reach out to one of our team members; we might be able to help.
You may want to understand the exact return on investment. Sustainability is not an exact science yet; we don’t have all the metrics figured out on how to report sustainability accurately. However, monitoring (Passivhaus, BREEAM, Green Building certification, WELL, etc.) helps guide and track progress. Even if you or your client skip formal certification, it’s about being intentional, asking questions along the way, and engaging with the right professionals.
If you have any sustainability wins, share your journey! Even small wins will stack up.. This is nobody else’s responsibility; it’s ours, and if we take on the challenge, we can even help the planet grow better.