Sustainable architectural design
Architectural design guides construction from the very beginning of the project towards the client’s sustainability and responsibility goals.
Sustainable architectural design
Traditional design solutions produce traditional results. Therefore, comprehensively and balanced sustainable construction requires the development of design methods and proactive guidance of sustainability throughout the project. The most effective solutions must be identified in time to avoid inefficient partial optimisation. Overall sustainable construction is not about verifying the results afterwards, but about goal-oriented work towards defined and measurable sustainability goals.
We help to make strategic sustainability goals first into concrete project-specific goals and then into comprehensive sustainable planning solutions. Sustainable architectural design is based on interaction, low-carbon building materials and flexible space solutions, energy efficiency, circular economy and the protection of biodiversity.
Through the collaboration between our architects and landscape architects, we connect buildings and the surrounding environment into a sustainable entity that creates a foundation for a communal lifestyle and vibrant cities. We recognise the importance of diverse urban nature and connect the sites we design to the local ecological network through outdoor spaces.
Architect leads the project towards sustainability goals
Sweco’s principal designers and architects offer a wide range of services that support sustainable construction for building construction, infrastructure, industrial and urban planning projects. The concrete sustainability goals of the project are always defined according to the strategic sustainability goals and project-specific initial data. Only then can planning be consciously steered towards the goals.
We combine different perspectives, goals and design solutions into a functional whole. Our principal designer manages the design comprehensively according to the client’s goals, taking into account, for example, environmental certification, the EU taxonomy or CSRD reporting.
Sustainability management ensures that social, economic and environmental responsibility are in balance.
Architecture of low-carbon buildings
Architecture of low-carbon buildings
Our architects increase the entire project team’s understanding of the opportunities offered by low-carbon construction. Already in the early stages of the project, we ensure that the site’s use of space is efficient and that user changes can be implemented flexibly during the life cycle. It reduces the need for demolition and the carbon footprint of the production of building materials.
In addition to space solutions, architects pay attention to the selection of low-carbon, cost-effective and feasible building materials. We also help to utilise new solutions, such as bio-based and recycled materials. At the same time, we ensure that the choices are in line with the other objectives of the project and the technical and operational requirements of the site.
Renovation and circular economy
Sustainable construction requires a new approach to new construction and renovation. Our building stock acts as a material and carbon bank, the demolition of which we cannot afford to take as lightly as in the past decades. Extending the life cycle of existing buildings is the most significant circular economy tool in the context of the built environment. We offer creative solutions for changes in the uses of existing buildings and for renovation that preserves them. The maintenance and repair of buildings is circular economy at its best.
We help to implement both simple and ambitious circular economy solutions in construction projects. Attention is paid to, for example, the flexibility of the premises and the reusability and shelf life of structures and materials. The circular economy is also supported by the sharing economy and the sustainable use of natural resources, which prevents biodiversity loss.
Circular economy solutions improve material efficiency both during construction and use. The building itself can communicate circular economy values, for example, through its façade materials, or the building can be designed from the ground up to be demolished and recycled. The design can also take into account the easy replacement of building components and the beautifully aging façade materials.
Landscape design protects biodiversity
Landscape design protects biodiversity
Biodiversity must be prioritized throughout all stages of urban planning. Enhancing biodiversity offers ecological, social, and economic benefits to cities and their inhabitants while boosting resilience against climate change. Regenerative planning fosters new natural assets within urban environments, positively impacting health and well-being.
Everyone involved in urban development, from public to private sectors, shares the responsibility of safeguarding biodiversity across different scales and planning stages. Preventing nature loss involves local initiatives and minimizing indirect impacts, such as reducing the nature footprint through thoughtful material choices and improved site operations. Effective promotion of biodiversity is achieved by integrating it strategically and maintaining consistent efforts from planning to implementation and ongoing maintenance.
Land use planning
Land use planning play an important role in securing and strengthening ecological networks. Formulas determine the amount and location of space allocated to blue-green areas. In addition, the plan guides not only the quantity and quality of the green structure of the courtyards and other outdoor areas, but also architectural solutions. Formula regulations can help safeguard the preservation of the green environment and minimize the harmful effects of the new environment and maximise the beneficial effects on biodiversity. Urban planning and zoning provide the best and most efficient opportunity to find the best solutions for biodiversity as well. At the same time, the next planning stages and implementation will be made easier and more efficient.
A diverse neighborhood is created as a result of joint planning
Biodiversity is not a separate ‘add-on’ in the urban environment either, but an integrated part. With comprehensive planning, we can also secure a balance of biodiversity alongside other needs and goals. Examples of taking biodiversity into account in architectural design of buildings include avoiding and minimizing negative effects such as disruptive lighting and mirror effects. On the other hand, positive effects can also be brought to the design, such as increasing the nesting possibilities of birds. Various material choices can be used to enable new habitats for organisms and insects. Naturally, plant choices also have a big impact.
Interactive design increases the vitality of cities
Architectural design has many implications for the social and societal sustainability of urban environments. Together with users, we design accessible school buildings, green urban parks, comfortable working environments and safe infrastructure. It is important for the city to offer space for nature, cultural history and different kinds of people.
Residents’ participation can be supported through interactive planning and placemaking. In this case, the market area, park, pedestrian street or other urban space is designed together with the residents to improve their quality of life. Participation commits residents to changes and gives everyone the opportunity to influence their own living environment.
The starting point for interactive urban planning is that each solution has a positive impact on people’s lives, such as improving cycling opportunities, the accessibility of public spaces, or the multi-purpose nature of a building. Comfortable, distinctive and attractive urban environments support social encounters and build the city’s identity, which also increases vitality.
Learn more about Sweco’s architectural design services and expertise in sustainable development!