Green Design
From its inception Banwell Architects has maintained a leadership role in environmental architecture. In recognizing the huge role that advanced building technologies play in edging us toward sustainability, we believe that good design begins with a broad understanding of environmental issues and the ability to apply them to specific, local conditions. Through our work in many innovative projects, we have demonstrated that, when green building concerns are creatively addressed, everyone benefits: the inhabitants, present and future, and the community at large.
Our completed work includes experience with the following key green design objectives:
- Comfort, visual and thermal, through the controlled use of the sun for natural lighting and passive solar heating
- Use of natural daylighting to augment artificial lighting
- Natural ventilation & sun-breaks to minimize need for AC
- Air quality and healthy interiors
- Low total energy requirements / low operating costs
- Durability / low maintenance
- Optimal site design, orientation and fenestration strategies
- Exceptional building envelope design (walls, windows, roof)
- Locally available materials with high recycled content and low emissivities
- Water conservation
- Incorporation of renewables – principally solar thermal, solar electric and wood
- Recycling of construction wastes
- Educating the client and building users on green design features
When all these elements come together, an exceptionally pleasing new “environment” is created and it is definitely not a “business-as-usual” outcome. This example can convince the larger community of the value of green buildings and encourage similar efforts, bringing us closer to a sustainable future.
