Sustainability

It is essential that new designs of any kind should consider all aspects of the built environment, including the materials and systems used and the orientation of the building on the site. All the solutions to the problems are available and it is the responsibility of the architect and client to opt for a sustainable approach.

Clients need to be aware that they can make a contribution to solving a global problem. In the past it has been difficult to convince clients to use new innovative methods, such as renewable energy systems, since they can be more expensive to install than other "standard" options. However, environmentally friendly systems are often proven to be more cost-effective long term than other solutions, and the payback time can easily be calculated.

Decisions made during the early stages of the design process are important in regard to their repercussions on the environment.

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