Looking beyond sustainable design, nicholas always strives to make buildings which contribute positively to the biosphere. This means not simply “keeping things as they are” – which “sustainability” implies – but making a real difference.
We advocate for super-insulated, highly thermally resistant buildings which use less energy for heating and cooling, and which also benefit their occupants through better thermal comfort.
Middle East building codes set the thermal resistance of building envelopes at “acceptable minimums,” relying largely on air-conditioning to maintain internal temperatures. Increasing the thermal resistance of buildings – by adding insulation – can significantly reduce the air-conditioning load, thereby reducing operating costs.
In the scheme of things, adding thermal insulation to buildings is a relatively cost-effective thing to do – although it does require skill in detailing.
We strongly believe that development should be regenerative – improving outcomes for both the environment and for people.
