One term you will probably hear more and more often is net zero carbon. This is something many people are pushing for to make sure that new buildings don’t contribute to global warming. However, it can be a big challenge. Luckily, we are one of the top architects London has to offer. We can explore this kind of project and deliver great results.

What is it?

To give you a better idea of why it is vital, we want to give you a little more info about what net zero carbon actually is. Basically it is the practice of ensuring that the greenhouse gas emissions of a building are zero or less than that over its entire life. To do this, it is vital to think about all the sources of these emissions. They include:

The impact of the construction – including the carbon cost from extraction, manufacturing, transport, installation, repair, and also end of life processing.
Energy consumption and water use

On top of this, it is vital to think about how to benefit emissions. For example, green technology can generate cleaner power on site. If there is a surplus, this can even be exported to other users and cut their reliance on energy from fossil fuels. Good insulation and ventilation can also reduce energy consumption on site.

There are also benefits from choosing the right materials. For example, timber is great because the carbon is locked in the material and won’t be released over its lifecycle. In addition, there are many materials that are reusable and recyclable at the end of their life.

Design strategies

There are a number of ways to achieve net zero carbon on projects. Firstly, you can limit the use of virgin and non-renewable materials. Secondly, you can choose local ones that don’t need to be transported a long way. Thirdly, you can think about repairs over the lifecycle of the building and choose materials that won’t need replacing frequently.

Then you can also think about how you can design a building so it is easy to re-purpose or reuse it. The demolition and disposal of materials in the future are a source of a huge amount of carbon. So, it is much better if the materials or structures are reusable.

Talk about net zero carbon with architects in London

Coffey Architects is a company that appreciates green design and protecting the environment. We can take this approach with all kinds of projects, from homes to offices and more. A big part of this we enjoy is exploring materials and how we can future-proof properties.

If you want to talk to us about a project, please get in touch. From the first talk you will see why we are among the best architects London has to offer. You will want us to help you at every stage of the project.