Material selection and Life cycle assessment
All materials have environmental implications. Using materials according to their performance as well as minimising detrimental environmental effects is key to achieving a sustainable built environment. Selection of materials and products is based on a background of ongoing research and practice-wide experience of use and extensive knowledge of both client and authority warranty requirements.
In the case of material and product selection a high emphasis is being placed on high recycled or reused content, a preference for organic composition versus oil-based substances, in particular in the case of insulation and finishes where low VOC and POPs can be more common. Our preferred wall buildups create a hygroscopic finish that balances internal moisture levels and improve occupant comfort.
Off-site fabrication is always considered as is the modular design in the structural frame, the façade system and the building grid. We aim for on-site assembly rather than on-site construction and focus on using mechanical fixings rather than adhesives throughout to facilitate end-of-life disassembly. Our familiarity with regional and global supply chains leads to innovative application of local materials, products and technologies that achieve a low environmental footprint and long life for a building.
Standard available assessment tools, codes and published third party approvals, such as the Green Guide and ICE methodology, are used in projects. An in-house environmental analysis methodology is also being developed to balance a building’s recycled content, recyclability, reusability, rapidly renewable content, levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as the transport, packaging, durability and constructability of various materials.
Embodied carbon diagram