Sustainable architecture
design experience that connects people, place and planet.
A sustainably built project goes beyond the use of specific materials and the incorporation of plants - it is rooted in a thorough study of place and the surrounding climate conditions. It’s about designing buildings and spaces that are efficient, durable, and adaptable to changing conditions
At LOOP Design Studio, our goal is to facilitate a design experience that connects people, place and planet. To implement innovating ideas and strategies to minimize the impact of architecture on the environment. But sustainable architecture is about more than just the physical building, It’s also about the people who use it and the community it’s part of. Sustainable design processes that center people and planet.
what is sustainable architecture?
Sustainable architecture is working towards an architectural practice that is environmentally responsible in every phase: from planning and design to construction to the operation of a built structure.
Sustainable architecture focuses on creating buildings that are resource-efficient throughout their life-cycle, hyperlocal, comfortable to be, using sustainable materials and design to minimize the impact on the environment. Also, designing for well-being through nature.
sustainable architecture through design strategies
Sustainability must be there from the first start, from the moment the sketches of a project begin. There are many ways to make a building more sustainable.
For us, context is everything. Our projects begin with site and bioclimatic analysis to better understand the landscape, context and local climate conditions of the site. Site analysis let us understand the surroundings and existing elements like trees, neighbors, landscape, water runoffs, and biological corridors.
Through the bioclimatic analysis we focus on understanding the climate and environmental systems that will inform the building design strategy. Understanding sun path for natural light, wind, relative humidity and temperature levels to develop strategies and select materials that are appropriate to context, wind movements to design natural ventilations systems and reduce the use of air conditioner, and rainfall levels for water collection and rain protection.
Prioritizing material selection that is environmentally responsible and local when available, is a good approach for a sustainable project. Using recycled and recycable materials helps to reduce the amount of waste that is produced, and it also helps to conserve resources. Thinking about the impact of a material once it completes its cycle (will it degrade, can it be reincorporated into a future project or it will goes to waste?).
Sustainability is a crucial component during the design process precisely so that the day to day of a built structure is sustainable. That is, the design and operation strategies in a project are very closely linked. Using high efficiency systems to reduce environmental fooprint like renewable energy systems and water management support the infiltration of water on site.
Our team is consistently seeking professional development and trainings opportunities to help us reinforce this philosophy as well as to give us the proper tools and skillsets to be able to advise, design and lead with our values centered around sustainable principles.
In summary
At LOOP, our goal is to design experience that connects people, place and planet. Sustainable architecture focuses o implementing strategies to minimize the impact of architecture on the environment. It’s about designing buildings and spaces that are efficient, durable, and adaptable to changing conditions.