As the extent and impacts of the climate collapse become ever clearer, we have sought to become more knowledgeable, and evidence-based in addressing sustainable design, working with software like OneClick and PHPP, and with like-minded colleagues in other disciplines, to understand and advocate alternative solutions to clients and stakeholders.
We are delighted to have won the BD online Net Zero Architect of the Year Award, and so proud of our team at vHH.
“…there was a lot of competition in the net zero category. The winner, van Heyningen and Haward, showed the value of comprehensive carbon data and applying the lessons learned from earlier projects to subsequent work.”
Judges’ citation from the award
Sustainability has always been a driver for us, but over the past decade we have set ourselves on a path to make more of a direct impact. Our design process focuses on low energy design and lifetime carbon reduction, to help combat the climate emergency. We do this through a variety of strategies – designing to Passivhaus principle, broadening our knowledge of biobased materials and renewable energy systems, and being on top of carbon calculations, both embodied and in use. Our Waterbeach Barracks Primary school will have lower whole life carbon than any building we have designed before, and we champion the reuse and energy upgrade of, listed buildings, such as at Houlton School.
