By David Thompson ARB RIBA, THAA Architects
Our ambition is to create well designed and thought-provoking architecture. We are also passionate about being considerate to the natural world in which our architecture exists. In our work we strive for a balance between the buildings we create, the people who use them, and the environments they are built in.
We design quality, bespoke, sustainable architecture with careful thought to minimise the build’s impact on local flora and fauna, and where possible, to enhance it.
The UK’s biodiversity is declining faster than at any other time in history. Since the 1930s, 97% of all wildflower meadows have disappeared, and 90% of wetland habitats have disappeared. 75,000 miles of hedgerows have been torn down and thousands of ancient woodlands have disappeared, now only covering 3% of the UK. This demise in natural habitat has resulted in a quarter of our mammals and one-third of native birds are currently at risk of extinction, additionally in the last 20 years, flying insects essential for pollination have declined by 60%. The UK may appear green, but most of our land is made up of an interconnecting tapestry of intensively farmed agricultural land with little refuge for wildlife.
Growing populations also means more homes need to be built and more food needs to be produced to feed people. Currently, 72% of land in the UK is used for agriculture with 8% being used for construction, this leaves little room for native wildlife to thrive. As well as being the main reasons for natural habitat loss, these industries are also major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, leading to the well-documented damaging effects of climate change. In the UK it is estimated that the built environment contributes around 40% towards the UK’s total carbon emissions. Energy use significantly contributes to CO2 emissions, and even though the UK is developing its renewable energy infrastructure, primarily through wind and solar, 78% of our energy is still created from burning fossil fuels.
Architecture therefore has a huge role to play in preserving natural habitats and lowering CO2 emissions. How we use land, build new homes, restore old homes, and how we create and use energy for everyday living is fundamental for our health and the well-being of the natural world. Through responsible building practices and quality architecture, we can provide opportunities to enhance biodiversity and promote a positive impact on climate health.
The way we design and build at THAA Architects is influenced by environmental pressures. We are signatories of Architects Declare (Architects Declaration Climate and Biodiversity Emergency) and members of the Passivhaus Trust and Green Register, and the environmental impact of our designs is always at the forefront of our process. We do this by carefully considering methods of construction, external and internal material choices, building orientation, window placement, renewable energy systems, and the creation of habitat for nature through landscaping interventions. Our aim is for a building to have a minimal impact on the environment, provide a healthy living environment for its occupants, ensure energy efficiency, and to provide a place for nature to thrive.
This does not mean that the design of the architecture to be a second priority. On the contrary. We believe any piece of architecture has a responsibility to contribute positively to its surroundings both environmentally and visually. It should be well considered, of its place, vernacular and importantly, thought-provoking.
When creating a fully considered scheme it may seem like a drop in the ocean for one building project or landscape improvement to make a difference to the local ecosystem, but small changes can have significant impacts and play a vital role in the health of the surrounding wildlife. For example, a small pond or a dense patch of scrub can make a dramatic difference in an environment surrounded by intensively farmed land, as they can become refuges for a multitude of indigenous wildlife. Designing architecture that benefits the local environment is not a completely altruistic process by any means. In creating sustainable, energy efficient buildings and biodiverse environments we enhance the well-being of the human occupants whilst reducing carbon emissions for space heating thus reducing long term operational costs to the owner.
If this sounds like the sort of architecture that inspires you and allows you to make a positive impact on the built and natural environment and you are excited about working with a team of experienced forward thinking Architects then please get in contact and see what THAA can do for you.
www.thaa.co.uk
thaa@thaa.co.uk
