Sustainability: The homes and buildings we design nurture their function as well as their natural surroundings. Seamless integration between them is important throughout the design process and manifests a solution which has a form that is a clear expression their importance. We view that our design process serves the development of the building as an organism. A living, breathing center of activity that has a hierarchy of functional spaces (organs), circulation paths that keep each space thriving and efficiently serving it’s intended function, and a nerve center of communication paths and interconnectivity, both psychological and physiological. Our bio-mimic design process results in environments that are healthy, efficient and sustainable for their intended use by holistically resolving the planning and volumetric needs while exploiting the unique and inherent site opportunities such as climate, topography, sun and wind angles, view corridors or an established fabric of development.
For all building types and functions, all our (shelter-thru-lifestyle) development needs to responsibly sustain the natural environment and the valuable resources from which all materials and energy are generated. We strive to steward a stable future where the boundaries between the environment that we build and the natural environment are blurred so that civilization becomes fully dependent on the wellspring of rapidly renewable resources made available to all of us, worldwide, each and every day. We strive for buildings that are beacons from which present and future development can be both formed and be inspired.
See below for some examples:
Site analysis for existing conditions and circulation opportunities, effectively maximize green space and establish methods of exploiting passive wind and solar opportunities.
Working building diagrams for effective daylighting and passive heating and cooling strategies to maximize energy savings and increased comfort & productivity.
The building as a Living Machine designed with integrated waste and storm-water management systems.
Interior green-space entry from a subterranean parking level for improved air quality, daylighting and increased productivity. Water features for passive cooling in certain climates, increased thermal comfort and reduced energy costs.
Site planning concepts to control solar heat gain and harness prevailing winds. Large open living spaces for the modern lifestyle which merge the indoor and outdoor environments, capture daylight and promote natural convection and passive ventilation. Exploiting local building materials and methodology for sped of construction. Rooftop garden spaces to increase outdoor space while minimizing the building footprint.
High Performance building skins that self-shade for energy savings, exploit view corridors, and create definition in the landscape. Planning concepts that ensure security, vitality and interconnectivity among public spaces.
Prefabricated and modular building-types for energy and cost savings and improved quality control, speed of construction for energy savings. Solar harvesting and on-site wastewater management for off-the-grid functionality.
Rooftop green spaces and plazas for daylighting and improved indoor air quality. Solar harvesting integrated with overhangs and louvered rooftop screens for dual-skin approach to reducing energy costs and improving the overall performance of the building for the end user. Operable fenestration and screens for daylighting control and long-term adaptability to various uses throughout the life of the building.