Buildings consume large quantities of natural resources during their construction, accounting for half of the UK’s primary energy consumption. They demand quarrying and exploitation of forests and other natural resources to supply the materials from which they are made. However, there are low carbon and low environmental impact building and landscape alternatives, which adopt innovative technologies such solar energy collection, biomass heating and grey water recycling.
Did you know? New build homes are more energy efficient than older homes but its better for the environment to refurbish an old house. Once cost is taken into consideration, refurbishment is a more eco-friendly and practical option.
"It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit." - Robert Louis Stevenson
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Sustainable, ecological designs, planning consultancy. Planning appeals, enforcements, Urbanised societies world-wide are rearing children who have too little contact with the inherent beauties of Nature, the essential food of the human soul. Thus deprived, they reach for drugs, drinks and consumerism as poor substitutes. Eco Architecture Planning & Permaculture Design Consultants aim to design garden-centred environments for food, beauty and soul satisfaction as contexts for their eco-architecture.
They are Feng Shui consultants and specialise in the design of ecologically sustaining architecture and planning. In other words, the holistic design of buildings and their surroundings spaces or gardens that maintain the balance in terms of food, energies, materials and humans needs: aesthetic, physical, social, spiritual and emotional. With an increasing concern at how human beings are destroying the planet, they see an eco-lifestyle as a means of healing the Earth. Eco Architecture Planning & Permaculture Design Consultants shall investigate, establish, teach and offer examples of ways of living co-operatively, harmoniously, sustainably and self sufficiently with each other and the environment for the benefit of the local and wider ecological communities. www.eco-architectureandplanning.com/home.html
Inkpen Downie Architecture and Design are:
keen and experienced in designing to a sustainable brief
able to work on PassivHaus standard new builds to sustainable community buildings to BREEAM standards
able to offer full service; from initial sketches, planning process, dealing with builders to completion on site
able to offer the services of an AABC (Architect Accredited in Building Conservation) to assess sustainable options in relation to historic buildings
able to offer an interior design service from qualified interior designers constantly updating their professional knowledge including eco refurbishment training
able to offer On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors (OCDEA) to ascertain the energy and financial implications of sustainable design to individual buildings.
Quattro is known for its innovative approach through close collaboration with users and clients, on housing, health and education projects. Their mission is to design and deliver projects through a collaborative and responsible working culture that encourages staff, clients and end-users alike to create solutions towards more positive and sustainable ways of life. Quattro firmly believe in sustainable design not as an optional extra but as fundamental to the way they think; it is an integral part of the design process and puts enormous emphasis on getting the basics right. www.quattrodesign.co.uk
Green Building Magazine. This magazine discusses the technical aspects of the best systems and techniques to achieve real green and energy efficient buildings. Designed to help create green, healthy and sustainable buildings. www.greenbuildingmagazine.co.uk/
J3*Building Futures is a sustainable development, environmental design, green construction and ecological living consultancy, concerned with developing the built environment in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner, helping buildings to become as energy efficient and healthy as they are cost effective. www.j3buildingfutures.co.uk/
Reviews and feedback
"GreenBuilding magazine is a great pleasure to read. Very informative on all the latest developments. The layout and graphics are very clear. A high quality production." Peter Stonebridge, Architect
