- Ensure timber specified is of a sustainable nature, by using PEFC or FSC certification schemes.. - Have a critical view about sustainable forest management and explore alternatives.. - Interrogate timber manufacturers on their root and soil carbon accounting.. Acoustic performance.

It is worth noting that the potential effects of building refurbishment, in terms of operational carbon, embodied carbon and wellbeing, are specific to the characteristics of the existing building.The best results are achieved when the refurbishment is planned carefully from a holistic point of view, addressing all the different factors of the retrofit together..

Sustainable design: Net Zero Carbon refurbishment.(LETI) and Bryden Wood.Bryden Wood’s approach to adaptive reuse uses a clear operational and embodied carbon hierarchy, as shown in the diagrams below.

Our sustainable design approach prioritises the reduction of energy demand via a ‘fabric first’ approach, combined with passive and active design measures (‘be lean’).To reduce operational carbon, we first explore any possibility of reusing buildings that already exist.

‘build nothing’) as the main route to reducing embodied carbon.

Further, all our projects are based on ‘lean design’ with the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) where feasible (‘build less’).. Reusing buildings can produce a substantial saving in embodied carbon, but the quantum depends on the extent of the refurbishment.‘There are lots of benefits...while my team work on the menu design, signage and website, etc., Anna’s team is concepting the interior.’.

Their GWS tenure began in 2012 when they simply rented two single desks in a shared space.Now, having grown in size, they occupy two adjoining studios.

Anna tells me, ‘We love being on the ground floor.You see other people, their shopfronts.