Sustainability

Sustainable development is designed for long term viability in three broad areas:

• environmental
• economic
• social/cultural.

It recognises that every action has ramifications at many levels:

• intimate
• corporate
• global
• universal.

Energy heating, cooling, lighting and ventilating buildings is mostly avoidable with intelligent design and good management. We have a temperate climate subject to change. Environmental sustainability means intelligent, climate-adaptive buildings with minimal CO2 footprint in construction and in use, good water management, the creative re-use of waste and efficient building practices.

Economic sustainability means structures which give appropriate flexible use over the lifetime of the city, adding value in the broadest sense.

Social sustainability asks users what they want, encouraging genuine ownership of buildings and the urban spaces they create, civic life and participation. It recognises the limits of design, allowing choice and flexibility in the way that we inhabit space.

Each theme is directly inter-related. For example climate-adaptive buildings are comfortable, useful and economic as energy prices rise and climate change takes effect. Social sustainability ensures that buildings are cherished and maintained. Economic sustainability means they are full and funded.

MBA add value to buildings not just tomorrow but in the long term, and link closely with environmental consultants in sustainable design, with whom we establish practical, appropriate solutions for each project.