Handmade and Humane
our products do not cry

Responsible Design

Designing for people, places and the planet

We believe in leaving a positive footprint on the world. As responsible designers, we act as stewards of the environment, working alongside our clients to minimize the environmental impact of their projects. This goes beyond simply reducing resource consumption; we strive to create spaces that are energy-efficient, utilize sustainable materials, and promote responsible waste management.

Our commitment extends beyond environmental concerns. We embrace Responsible Design, which considers the social, economic, and ethical implications of our work. We design with people in mind, fostering vibrant communities, inclusivity, and accessibility. We understand the economic impact of our projects, ensuring they contribute to the well-being of local economies. Additionally, we prioritize ethical practices throughout the design process, respecting human rights and upholding fair labor standards.

At the core of our philosophy lies the concept of exemplary placemaking. We design not just buildings, but spaces that enrich the lives of those who inhabit them. We create places that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and promote a sense of belonging. Our ultimate goal is to design for the well-being of people, places, and the planet, ensuring a thriving future for generations to come.

Responsible Design - Core Principles

Community & Social Value

Our projects foster vibrant communities by promoting social and demographic inclusion, offering a diverse mix of uses, cultivating a strong sense of belonging, and partnering with local businesses to create employment opportunities and enrich the urban experience.

Health & Wellbeing

We prioritize the well-being of our occupants by designing with natural light, optimized acoustics, and clean air in mind. We weave nature and biophilic elements into our buildings to create calming and restorative spaces. Furthermore, we encourage interaction and community by fostering activity areas and ensuring accessibility for everyone.

Transport & Connectivity

We're revolutionizing mobility by implementing the best practices and pioneering new solutions. Our masterplans prioritize public transportation, walkable neighborhoods, and active travel options, creating efficient, safe, and livable urban spaces that put people first.

Water

We embrace innovative solutions like SuDS and Sponge City principles to manage stormwater naturally. By creating wetland landscapes and incorporating recreational features, we reconnect communities with water while mitigating flood risks. We champion water conservation by reusing greywater for irrigation and landscaping, and specifying water-efficient fixtures to minimize consumption.

Embodied Carbon

We tackle the crucial challenge of reducing embodied carbon in our projects. Prioritizing refurbishment, adaptation, and repurposing of existing buildings is our first approach. When new construction is necessary, we design with a focus on lighter structures and meticulously evaluate material selections to minimize the overall carbon footprint.

Operational Carbon

Our designs prioritize energy conservation. We implement a fabric-first approach to minimize heat loss and gain, utilizing natural ventilation and shading strategies for optimal comfort. We leverage environmental modeling software to analyze and reduce operational carbon emissions from the very beginning of each project, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Lifecycle

Through rigorous carbon modeling, we identify strategies to minimize emissions throughout a project's lifecycle, paving the way for truly net-zero developments. We champion off-site prefabrication to reduce waste and promote efficiency, and design buildings for low maintenance and future adaptability, ensuring long-term sustainability.