Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy : Information

15 Jun 2009 ARCHITYPE WINS ASHDEN AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY Architype received the prestigious award on Thursday 11 June 09 at a special ceremony in London hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales. The Ashden Awards are the world's leading green energy awards and this is the first time the award has been given to an architectural practice. Architype has won £15,000 in prize money to be used for post-occupancy research. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales with representatives from Architype (Director Jonathan Hines, third from left, and Associate Ben Humphries, fifth from left) and other award winners, Marches Energy Agency and Devon County Council: Architype has 25 years' experience in putting the environment at the heart of its design, going way beyond the standards stipulated. In the past five years Architype's significant project portfolio is saving between 35 and 75 percent of CO2 emissions compared to current building regulations, and they are now targeting Passivhaus savings of 90%. Architype's approach is to create buildings that by design simply consume less energy - rather than relying on add-on technology that offsets carbon but allows buildings to carry on using energy. Energy use is reduced by designing buildings that require minimal heating, cooling and lighting, using careful orientation, super-insulation, reduced thermal bridging, good airtightness, passive solar, good daylighting, and natural ventilation. Buildings are designed through an inclusive process of user consultation and engagement. The energy used in buildings accounts for almost half of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions and significant energy is also embodied in building materials and the construction process. Jonathan Hines, Managing Director of Architype, said: "We are passionate about designing beautiful and sustainable buildings, and so are delighted to have won such a high profile award. It is fantastic to receive national recognition for our pioneering work in sustainable design over the last 25 years, and for the unique way in which we involve users and communities in the design of their buildings" Upper Twyford Barns : the practice's office in Hereford, England Genesis Centre by Architype picture : Leigh Simpson Ashden Awards Shortlist : Architype 1 Jun 2009 Architects: "Sustainable design doesn't have to cost more" Today, the world's leading green energy Awards scheme announced that Architype Ltd, an architectural design firm based in Herefordshire and London, is one of the companies pioneering renewable energy schemes in the UK, Africa, Asia and Latin America, and chosen as finalists for the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy 2009. Architype will compete in the Business Award category for up to £30,000 in prize money, to be used for scheme improvement and expansion. The winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales in London on 11 June. Architype is an architectural practice with 25 year's experience in putting the environment at the heart of its design, going way beyond the standards stipulated. In the past five years Architype's significant project portfolio has saved an average of 35 percent of CO2 emissions compared to current building regulations. Energy use is reduced by designing buildings that require minimal heating, cooling and lighting, through insulation, passive solar gain, natural ventilation and well-placed windows. The energy used in buildings accounts for almost half of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions and significant energy is also embodied in building materials and the construction process. Jonathan Hines, Managing Director of Architype, explains the underlying issues and the key to success in implementing architectural sustainability: "Designing a new building or refurbishing an old one can be the perfect opportunity to put sustainability into practice, but too often the chance is missed. We therefore work closely with clients, before and after the building is constructed, to ensure that the client understands and likes the design and knows how to use the building efficiently." Architype prioritises reducing energy consumption through design, and then opts for low carbon energy sources appropriate for each project, such as biomass, solar water heating and solar PV. Sustainable building materials are carefully sourced and green building techniques employed to minimise embodied energy. Jonathan Hines notes: "Involving the building construction company at an early stage means that any specialist technologies and construction techniques can be discussed, and potential problems avoided." Mark Preston of Russell Construction, a contractor working with Architype on the construction of the Genesis Project in Taunton, Somerset, commented: "Before we did this Education Centre with Architype, I thought sustainable materials would be difficult to integrate into mainstream construction but this building is proof that they can. I think everyone can - and should! - use them." Architype started life as a cooperative, evolving into a fully commercial business that retains its original goals and ethos. The architects work collaboratively, in a flexible team that can draw on everyone's expertise. The company focuses on public sector and community clients, competing commercially with more traditional architects. Buildings designed by Architype include schools, colleges, offices, community buildings, visitor centres, housing projects and student accommodation. Architype's buildings achieve high operating energy efficiency, and thus low carbon emissions, through high levels of insulation, passive solar gain and natural ventilation. Designs continue to improve, so the 34,000 m2 of buildings to be completed in next two years should save 65% on energy and 75% on CO2, compared with current building regulations.