We take sustainability very seriously, and believe that a responsible approach to the environment is a vital aspect of good architecture. While we recognise that sustainability goals need to be achieved alongside other project objectives, we constantly endeavour in all of our work to help clients achieve more with the resources available.
This is accomplished by considering sustainability issues from the outset, and allowing them to inform early strategic decisions; by encouraging a coordinated approach to the subject by the entire design team; by using passive techniques, such as siting, building form and orientation, to reduce energy and resource consumption; and by ensuring that our project teams have a full understanding of the issues involved, and the range of possible solutions. Methods and technologies are adopted that are appropriate for each individual project.
Sustainability is fully integrated into the design process at Arista. A sustainable design checklist is built into our project review system, and is used to assist project teams to identify the key issues at each stage, and to monitor each project as it progresses, from inception to completion and beyond.
Our activities in the field are co-ordinated and managed by our own sustainability group, who help to monitor and evaluate each project, provide information and advice, and harness the results of project-based research into innovative techniques for the use of the wider practice.
We recognise that successful sustainable design must be a team effort, and to this end we have established close relationships with a number of the leading specialist consultants in the field, with whom we collaborate regularly. We also contribute to wider discussions and activities within design and construction by means of our involvement in industry forums such as the UK-Green Building Council, and projects such the RIBA-coordinated Carbon Buzz.
Our approach to sustainability is not limited to the buildings we design. The way in which we manage our business is under continual review with the aim of reducing energy and resource consumption, carbon emissions and waste