At The Johns Practice, the term sustainability describes how we manage our environmental and economic responsibilities. Sustainability is about enhancing the communities where we work, live, as well as providing developments which are designed to minimise their impact on the environment. Our own office is a perfect example of this.

Architects are not only the creative force, we are now in these ever moving and modern times, with sustainability and targets driving the agenda.

For many the green issue maybe the latest headline or the fashionable cause, for us it is the NOW issue. Our design efforts are responsible for the end-users and sustainability of other industries as well as our own.

The key to the next decade is good sustainable design, motivation, education and how to achieve more for less.

In the sea of fast growth for business, the depth to which we have to go to meet the real emission standard in 2050 has been calculated and has to involve the current housing stock as well as building new houses if we are as a nation going to stand any chance of achieving those targets.

The Johns Practice is doing its utmost to meet that standard on our clients behalf. How can we help you?

The media likes to throw a lot of pictures around of our sustainable future. Pictures of wind turbines out at sea, pictures of renewal energy panels and the happy polar bears. We are all using our bicycles and throwing our rubbish in correct type of bin. Using our compost to grow our own vegetables. The T.V shows us the future that we hope to have when by some unbelievable feat of wonderment everybody comes to the eco-friendly table and drinks from the same eco-friendly cup.

Now lets move away from the Blue Peter ideology and talk about how we can meet emission standards using reasonable solutions.

- Not all current builds can be retrofitted to meet 2050 standards. The cost of maintaining these builds will become greater and will be swallowed up by the market when other builds move forward with sustainable coding. So this must be a great consideration when applying target to the Zero Emissions issue.

- Where retrofitting is possible, it must be understood that not every building can use photovoltaic panels and turbines as a means to lower energy use. I refer to the report produced by the Royal Academy of Engineering

- We must consider where possible the passive options for buildings and individually scrutinise each build on a case by case basis. Although this is time consuming, it is time well spent. The dangers in not effectively educating people on the various needs of each building will create extra cost and may be detrimental to the build itself.

- There must be education available for the entire community that is pertinent to the environment they reside in and not a global idea of what the future entails. This education will go further to ensure that the end users of any upgrades on retrofitted and new builds make the most of whatever sustainable materials have been applied.

- We must work on the basis of a realistic future. This is the most important concept behind our future in Design and Build strategies. In 2050 a high percentage of builds in the country will be made up of our existing housing stock. The focus we have is on reasonable solutions. Using funding for pilot schemes that are geared more towards making a statement than making an effective change, are likely to cause more harm than good.

We are moving forward as an industry. We are educated as architects and technicians on the need for sustainable solution in an ongoing aim to create a Zero Emissions environment. From an outside point of view the options seem expensive and less effective when your build is surrounded by 10 other buildings that are not up to code. But in that very fact you will be the diamond in the rough. People will begin to recognise their own need to work towards the same targets. And even when the number of sustainable builds reaches a high number and the housing market levels out, we will be the recipients of lower energy bills , a country of well educated end users, and if you like, a country with a clearer conscience than we had 50 years ago.

· Approved Elmhurst SAP and EPC Rating Assessor
· Member of the Green Register
· Member of the Eco- Refurbishes
· Licensed BREEAM Assessor for Eco-Homes
· Licensed BREEAM Assessor for Code for Sustainable Construction
· Designs using Passive measures
· Designs building Code 3 to Code 6
· Uses Renewable Technologies
· Uses Low impact materials
· Energy efficiency
· Quality and durability
· Design to minimise refuse and maximise recycling
· Design Impact measures
· Sustainable Design Standards
· Healthy Buildings

We have designed our building with the passive design. The way in which this design works it as follows: The warm air rises up through the studio, aided by its monopitch design, before escaping through a continuous band of windows situated at the highest point of the building. Cool air is then drawn in through the removable front wall, after passing over the lake for additional cooling. This sustainable solution replaces air conditioning, keeping the building cool and naturally ventilated throughout the summer months

 

Below is an image of the award winning building we designed for our client.

The client wanted an office similar to The Johns Practices Studio. Environmental concerns are at the forefront of the design. A bespoke pre-fabricated timber frame has been utilised throughout, recycled newspaper insulation has been used within the wall and roof cavities. As always with our buildings natural daylight is of paramount importance to us.

On this scheme we have incorporated a south facing sloping wall of glass, which is naturally shaded by the existing trees. Secondary shading is also provided by electronic blinds internal blinds to this elevation. A pool of water has been provided to create a private oasis that can be enjoyed by the staff whilst working at their desks and sitting in the cafe area. A Passivent System has been incorporated, the performance of which is enhanced by the shape and volume of the spaces.