Our interest in low carbon architecture has been constant since the creation of David Long Architects in 2000. We have also recently been selected as one of the practices in the Low Carbon Workplace framework agreement for the Carbon Trust.

The majority of the projects for which we have historically been commissioned have been the refurbishment of existing residential or commercial buildings, very often dating from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. We have therefore developed extensive expertise in the efficient, and cost effective, improvement of their energy performance.

The refurbishment projects we have carried out, either as architects or development managers, have introduced energy saving measures from the very first stages of the projects. We avoid if we can the use of controversial technologies, or anything which may be seen as overly complex.

In our low carbon projects we utilise simple yet effective measures such as:

  • Air leakage prevention
  • Excellent thermal insulation
  • Existing building mass
  • Natural ventilation
  • High performance glazing systems and passive solar shading

Our contention is that by the use of appropriate simple materials and construction techniques, the majority of existing buildings can have their energy consumption radically reduced at little more cost than a normal average energy refurbishment.

Today ‘low carbon’ architecture is often represented by singular, and often rather eccentric, buildings. In the future, and certainly in our own practice we are seeking to develop an architectural expression which reflects the low carbon credentials of the building, advertises low carbon credentials of the building, and yet retains a proper and respectful relationship between the building and its immediate context.