Sustainability and its meaning for Niche Design Architects
Narrowing the Performance Gap
At NDA, sustainability begins with focusing on building performance, with the goal of ensuring each building operates at near 100% efficiency. This is achieved through thoughtful, detailed design tailored to the unique context of every project. Regardless of a client’s stance on sustainability, everyone values maximizing their investment. To this end, we focus on key areas like airtightness, controlled ventilation, thermal efficiency, energy modeling, and quality control. We design practical solutions to improve airtightness that can be effectively implemented during construction. Controlled ventilation systems, such as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, are integrated to improve air quality while conserving energy. Thermal efficiency is addressed by selecting insulation materials that best suit each project’s specific needs and climate. Energy modeling helps us optimize construction details to minimize thermal bridging and heat loss. Throughout the construction phase, we maintain involvement to ensure that contractors adhere to our carefully developed specifications, ensuring high-quality results.
Minimising Use of Oil-Based Products
While some projects may require oil-based materials, NDA strives to minimize their use by making conscious, sustainable choices in our detailing. We understand the environmental impact of oil-based products and actively seek alternatives that support sustainability, without compromising on quality or performance. By considering the full lifecycle of materials, we reduce reliance on these products and promote more sustainable, eco-friendly options whenever possible.
Sustainable Materials
Sustainability is at the core of our material selection process. We prioritize the use of renewable, recyclable, and low-impact materials wherever possible, ensuring our projects are as environmentally responsible as they are functional. By choosing materials with minimal environmental impact, we contribute to a circular economy and reduce the carbon footprint of the buildings we design and construct.
Adopting Recognised Standards
NDA is committed to promoting and implementing high-quality recognized standards such as Passivhaus and the AECB Building and Retrofit Standards. These standards are a cornerstone of our sustainability approach, and we ensure that our team is well-trained to design and execute these rigorous benchmarks in-house. By adhering to these established standards, we can guarantee that our buildings meet the highest performance criteria and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
Renewable Energy Integration
We guide clients in the seamless integration of renewable energy systems into their projects. Whether it’s solar, wind, or other renewable technologies, our expertise helps clients choose the most appropriate systems to reduce their reliance on non-renewable energy sources. By incorporating renewable energy, we not only reduce operational costs for clients but also support the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
Lifecycle Thinking
At NDA, sustainability is integrated into every stage of a project’s lifecycle—from material sourcing and construction to long-term use, maintenance, and eventual reuse or demolition. We take a lifecycle-oriented approach, ensuring that sustainability is considered at every step, making certain that buildings remain efficient and environmentally responsible throughout their lifespan. This holistic approach ensures that our projects are designed with the future in mind, reducing their long-term environmental impact.