Green sustainable architecture: The road to net zero carbon
Marsh Grochowski is leading the charge in green design architecture and sustainable construction by implementing the latest industry practices to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of our building projects, with the ultimate ambition of delivering net zero carbon designs as part of the RIBA 2030 climate challenge.
When designing, we consider the following:
Construction Lifecycle Efficiency
We have adopted the ‘RICS whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) standard’ to ensure that sustainable design is incorporated into every stage of the process, from initial design through to completion. We use the latest WLCA online databases to compare material Environmental Product Declaration (EPDs) from an early stage. This allows us to compare materials and specify the ones that are low in carbon and easy to recycle.
Energy Efficiency
Our Architects are experienced in designing energy efficient buildings that are well insulated and technically detailed to eliminate thermal bridges and condensation risks. Passivhaus principles are used by our Certified Passivhaus Designer (CPHD) to reduce heating and cooling demand and improve air tightness and indoor air quality to create a comfortable indoor environment that is cost effective to run.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is a key driver to achieving net zero designs. Our Architects have extensive experience designing in renewable technologies to meet the latest SAP/SBEM/BREEAM or Passivhaus requirements. We have worked with various products, from standard renewables such as solar panels and air sourced heat pumps to more niche products such as solar thermal systems and hybrid heat pumps.
While the technologies we use have evolved, our core commitment to environmentally responsible design has never wavered. Especially with upcoming changes of the Future Homes Standards and annual updates to building regulations, we continue to evolve our skills at this crucial juncture of the RIBA 2030 Climate challenge.
Our green sustainable architecture services
Our services combine innovative methods and proven techniques across every stage of a project, reducing environmental impact before a single brick is laid.
We focus on:
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Whole life Carbon Assessments using ‘RICS WLCA standard v.2:’ selecting low embodied carbon materials and systems that are recyclable.
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Integrating buildings with surrounding ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity, complying with Biodiversity Net Green (BNG) regulations.
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Designing to required sustainable standards such as Future Homes and ADB Part L, BREEAM/WELL and Passivhaus.
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Overseeing mechanical and electrical designs to ensure they achieve high SAP or SBEM ratings.
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Incorporating Renewable products into projects such as rainwater harvesting and wind turbines.
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Using Building Information Modelling (BIM) software to analyse and optimise energy and carbon performance.
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Retrofit and Enerphit (deep retrofit) to decarbonise existing buildings with accredited Retrofit Designers.
Winning a green architecture award, the King’s Meadow Canopy forms a striking entrance to the University of Nottingham’s King’s Meadow Campus. Constructed from sustainably sourced materials, it demonstrates how low-impact materials can deliver high-impact results.
Designed with performance at its core, Maplebeck Village Hall features high levels of insulation, a biomass boiler fuelled within ten miles of the site and photovoltaic panels - ensuring a sustainable community building for years to come.
Creating ‘Nottingham’s Sustainable new Community,’ on the banks of the river Trent, these low carbon sustainable houses are the heart of a groundbreaking clean energy initiative. Housing Europe’s largest community battery which stores and trades energy produced from on-site renewable sources to benefit homes across the development.
Contact our green design architecture experts
If you’re looking to design greener, our green sustainable architecture team is here to help. Contact us today to start your sustainable architecture journey.
Contact Us
If you would like to know more about our services or projects, please get in touch. Let us know how we can help.
marsh:grochowski architects
37a Sneinton Hermitage, Nottingham, NG2 4BT
email: simon.smith@arcontext.com
phone: 0115 941 1761