The trouble with this is that it destroys value for the client – it removes the big picture view, which is really important, especially on highly complex and intricate jobs like laboratories or some of the others I’ve described here.

Although some of the focus on this topic was lost in the last recession, the industry’s renewed commitment to sustainability in design is intensifying.This is in large part due to the climate emergency and our need to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

However, it’s also due to our simple desire to create the best buildings we can; those which promote health and well-being for occupants, and are comfortable, durable and safe to use.. WELL building standards and passive design.As in so many other areas of our lives, COVID-19 has created new challenges within the architecture and design space, with clients now regularly requesting COVID-secure design.The idea of designing for COVID is very compatible with sustainable design’s broader focus on health and wellbeing, and ties in nicely with the WELL Building Standard.

This American rating system, launched in 2013 and now in the UK, challenges the built environment from a wellness perspective, while the UK’s earlier environmental assessment method, BREEAM, also places some attention on things like thermal comfort and air volumes.In the case of designing for COVID, the most obvious starting point is to look at the airflow of a building — how it might move through an office floor plate, for example.

Here, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) offers us a way to address the challenge using a process based on mathematical modelling..

Passive design measures also form a key part of a sustainable design strategy.Chip Thinking® is a systematic approach to dissecting the critical components of a data centre facility.

By methodically breaking down these elements, we unlock insights that drive design improvements and performance optimisation.Our unique modelling and analytics team—comprising architects, engineers, mathematical modellers, software coders, and data analysts—creates a strategic way of thinking and working that brings information to life.. Data aggregation + analysis.

The diagram above shows the process of using Chip Thinking® to elicit and capture stakeholder requirements at a range of scales, from a single component up to site deployment.. Chips serve as a unified knowledge hub where all data and stakeholder insights converge, providing a comprehensive understanding for everyone involved.Through digital simulations, 4D planning, and automated configuration tools, stakeholders can fine-tune facility designs to meet standard requirements, optimising every aspect.. By digitally modelling processes or assets as Chips, we can quickly assess their current effectiveness and explore potential changes across diverse scenarios.