SUSTAINABILITY
Austin-Smith:Lord’s mission is to ‘enhance life and environments by design’.
Sustainability and harnessing the power of design as a tool to elegantly solve problems and contribute ideas to enhance quality of life is central to all we do.
We are renowned for our long-standing commitment to sustainability in design practice. Our founding Partners, Inette and Mike Austin-Smith, were passionate about sustainable design principles and the importance of creating buildings and spaces that respect our environment, are cherished and provide enduring appeal for future generations. We keep that sense of purpose and passion alive today.
Austin-Smith:Lord has been at the vanguard in finding practical and effective ways to design out waste, reduce energy and resource consumption, retrofit and repurpose buildings and landscapes, apply nature-based solutions to restore habitats and champion participatory planning and community engagement to help address the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
It is not only about the work we do and the environments we help design; it’s also about the way in which we work.
We are therefore also committed to being a net zero emissions business by 2030; earlier if possible. We are inspired by collaborating with others; our clients, the communities within which we work, our peers and experts we admire.
We are also passionate advocates for sustainable and circular design practice. We are actively involved in promoting best practice, knowledge sharing and research to ensure our design professions can play a central role in responding to the climate emergency and champion positive health and wellbeing. We have accreditations in Passive House, WELL Standard and have designed buildings and landscapes assessed to the highest standards of sustainable performance.
Our holistic approach to sustainability is embedded across all our disciplines and sectors; from architecture to masterplanning, landscape to interior design, conservation to community engagement. Our timeline of completed projects and actions demonstrates a track-record of delivering practical and impactful sustainable design over the last 25 years and more. The next 25 years will be pivotal and we will continue to work tirelessly with others to act local and think global.
A 25 YEAR TIMELINE OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS
Clockface Country Park, St. Helens – 1995-97
Creation of a Country Park and extension of the Mersey Forest on a reclaimed former colliery site. Developed in close consultation with the community the Park provides meadows within the woodland, footpaths, bridleways, play area and a new fishing lake. The ecology of remodelled shale heaps was rejuvenated with new growing medium restored with treated sewage sludge cake from the nearby RIBA Award winning Shell Green processing plant, also designed by Austin-Smith:Lord.
Homes for the Future, Glasgow – 1999
An experimental housing design expo for modern inner city living as part of Glasgow 1999 UK City of Architecture & Design. One of the first projects to incorporate then pioneering technologies such as photovoltaics, heat pumps, recycled aggregate, adaptable lifetime homes and enhanced thermal insulation.
Earl Rise Housing, Dundonald – 2003
A development of 32 houses designed for Ayrshire Housing and awarded the inaugural Roses Sustainable Communities Design Award. Built on an exposed site, the built form is designed to create positive microclimates, provide shelter and minimise heat loss.
Parc Cybi, Holyhead – 2005-09
Awarded a CEEQUAL score of 94.6% (Excellent) for the sustainable masterplan, detailed design and implementation of this business and industry park in an archeologically and ecologically sensitive location; the highest CEEQUAL score ever awarded at that time. The landscape scheme resulted in a 65% increase in wildlife habitat and zero net loss of biodiversity. No materials were removed from site and local Welsh materials were used to reduce travel distances and maintain local character.
Leeds Discovery Centre – 2007
Publicly accessible, purpose-built archive housing the City of Leeds Museum collections within five precisely controlled atmospheric zones. High mass construction provides a passive, environmentally stable internal condition which reduces airborne humidity through hydrostatic pressure. Constructed on remediated brownfield site an on-site recycling strategy was adopted to reduce waste. Read more
Roseisle Distillery, Moray – 2009
Scotland’s first major distillery in decades was also the most sustainable; pioneering the integration of sustainable technology and design principles that has inspired the subsequent wave of new distillery projects. The BREEAM Excellent facility benefits from natural light and ventilation, and significantly reduced the carbon footprint of the distillation process with byproducts recycled in an on-site bio-energy to self-generate power and heat recovery from the 14 stills, further reducing emissions. Read more
Merrylee Primary School, Glasgow – 2009
Incorporating sustainable timber frame construction (including recycled telegraph poles), on-site wind turbine, a biomass boiler, solar panels and rainwater harvesting, this was the first school to meet Glasgow City Council’s new Environment Strategy requirements. A dedicated eco classroom space provides a focal point for outdoor environmental and sustainability learning projects.
Welsh Assembly Government Offices, Llandudno Junction – 2010
New regional office for the Welsh Government rated as one of the greenest public buildings in the UK at time of construction. The building features locally sourced materials, thermal mass to avoid the need for air conditioning, high-level discharge stacks to provide natural ventilation, a biomass boiler (with local fuel source) and rainwater harvesting. BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and A-rated energy performance.
Girvan Community Hospital – 2010
Designed to maximise daylight and natural ventilation, and incorporate new sustainable technologies such as a 100kw wind turbine, biomass boilers and rainwater harvesting. Initial investment in sustainable technologies was repaid within 4-years of opening through savings in running costs. Read more
Building Standards Accredited Details, Scotland – 2010
Commissioned by the Scottish Government to produce a new set of design details to demonstrate how improved levels of insulation, air tightness and reduced thermal bridging can be achieved using typical building construction types. These accredited details were adopted by the Scottish Buildings Standards Agency as a reference for sustainable detailing.
Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative – 2010s
Community-led participatory planning and design charrettes, funded by Scottish Government, focusing on sustainable placemaking and integrating environmental, social and economic regeneration in over a dozen towns and cities across Scotland. Each charrette developed an action plan which has subsequently helped secure place-based investment and funding for regeneration, and informed new sustainable placemaking policy in Scotland. Read more
McNeil Street Housing, Gorbals, Glasgow – 2012
Brief to deliver 49 ‘very sustainable homes’ to pioneer an approach to energy efficient housing that was transferable and the housing association could adopt in future. Breathable wall construction, excellent air-tightness, and very high levels of insulation comfortably exceeded Technical Standards and anticipated future regulations. This fabric first approach minimised energy consumption to achieve a low carbon approach that is robust, easily maintained and negated the need for traditional domestic heating systems. Read more
Murray Library, University of Edinburgh – 2012
Designed to significantly exceed BREEAM Excellent requirements, this 4 storey library and learning resource campus hub integrates an array of passive, fabric first design principles to reduce the long-term running costs and avoid reliance on micro renewable technologies. Appropriately, for a library, the building includes high thermal insulation from recycled newspaper, a green sedum roof, whole building natural ventilation and natural daylighting. At least 10% by value of materials used were recycled/natural.
Cuningar Loop Woodland Park, Glasgow – 2013
Masterplan for Clyde Gateway and Forestry Commission Scotland to remediate and transform a former reservoir, quarry, and landfill site into a community woodland in the East End of Glasgow. Subsequently delivered, the Park features over 15,000 new trees, 2.5km of walking and biking trails, a new footbridge bridge, boardwalks, bouldering, natural play, sculpture, picnic, and events areas contributing to the regeneration of the area adjacent to the Commonwealth Games Village.
Ysgol Ffwrnes, Llanelli – 2014
BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ primary school and nursery, pushing beyond the BREEAM rating of Excellent required by the Welsh Government to become an exemplar for future school buildings. The completed project has been certified with an EPC of A+ (zero carbon in use). Read more
Loudoun Square, Cardiff – 2014
Mixed-use urban regeneration project including health centre, community services hub, affordable housing, and local shops in Butetown, south central Cardiff. The project includes the first BREEAM Excellent Health Care Centre in Wales and 61 new homes designed Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and Level 5. To achieve these stringent environmental targets, the designs incorporate rainwater harvesting, biomass fuelled heating and high levels of thermal insulation. Read more
Agriculture Innovation Centre, Bridgwater – 2014
BREEAM Excellent rated teaching and research facility incorporating Hemcrete (hemp) insulation to the external walls and a biomass boiler, together with solar hot water panels, photovoltaics and ‘wind catchers’ to assist natural ventilation. Read more
South Lanarkshire College, East Kilbride – 2015
First ever BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ award in the UK under the 2014 New Construction version of BREEAM integrating solar photovoltaics, an energy-efficient external envelope and a ground source heat pump to ensure the building has a net zero energy in use. Innovative features include solar chimneys, recycled paper insulation, re-used cycle racks from the Commonwealth Games and an integrated bicycle repair station. Read more
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park – 2015
Design of enhance visitor management facilities at Loch Lubnaig, Loch Venachar and Loch Chon including creation of ‘wild’ camping nestled within established woodlands and provision of lochside cafe and visitor facilities powered by biomass boiler and photovoltaics.
The Curve, Teesside University – 2016
Use of innovative sustainable features, such as an earth duct, assisted natural ventilation, high levels of insulation, compact building form, thermal mass, low infiltration rates, good levels of daylight, dimmable LED lighting, variable volume variable temperature heating, greywater recycling, sourcing of local materials/labour where possible and a building management system contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions and a BREEAM Excellent rating. Read more
(Y)our City Centre District Regeneration Frameworks, Glasgow – 2016-22
Ambitious Regeneration Frameworks for 8 Districts over 300 hectares of central Glasgow championing sustainable urbanism principles including the repopulation of the city centre (doubling to 40k), supporting a compact missed-use 20 min city, reducing the impact of the M8 motorway, ending the car dominance of urban streets and spaces, retrofitting under occupied buildings, championing a circular economy, urban health and wellbeing and integrating green-blue infrastructure in the cityscape including new urban green spaces and a River Park extending along the Clyde. This project was co-designed with over 9,000 contributions from Glaswegians and local and national government, agencies and stakeholders to promote enhanced quality of life for all. Read more
BREEAM / Ecobuild Champions – 2018
Austin-Smith:Lord were named the inaugural BREEAM / EcoBuild Champions for Architect in 2018 in recognition of our track record in achieving high performance and positive impact in sustainable design working on behalf of BREEAM clients.
Cosmeston Farm Development Masterplan, Vale of Glamorgan – 2018-21
Masterplan for Welsh Government to create 375 zero energy in use new homes, educational and community facilities. The 22 ha masterplan, partly encompassing former quarries, retains 4 ha of existing landscape corridor and woodland, and further prompts a modal transportation shift through a focus on active travel, enhancement of green travel alternatives and a significant reduction in car spaces. A parallel study was completed in conjunction with the Welsh School of Architecture to explore the delivery of zero carbon development at scale and test the development plan through energy and solar modelling.
Oxtalls Business School and Growth Hub, University of Gloucester – 2019
BREEAM Excellent accredited 5,000 sqm building featuring a full height atrium providing natural light and natural ventilation, alongside super-insulated external built envelope and heat recovery to minimise heat loss and achieve energy efficiency. The landscape scheme included the transformation of ecologically low value amenity grass areas to species rich wildflower meadow, wetland, and native scrub habitats. Sustainable drainage is integrated in naturalistic aquatic landscape enhancing the biodiversity of the existing brook corridor. Read more
B Block Refurbishment, University of West of England – 2020
This retrofit and refurbishment of ground floor to UWE B-Block achieved SKA Silver Rating for the refurbishment of the Student Services, Information Services, Art Shop and facilities. Careful selection of materials and reducing waste on site through use of standard sizes, alongside an audit of how to repurpose and retain existing features were integral to reducing waste.
Accreditations and Advocacy – 2020
Catherine Cosgrove (Associate and A-S:L Sustainability Champion / RIAS Accredited Sustainability Architect) named as Chair of Scottish Ecological Design Association, Anna Blamire-Brown and Oliver Goddard accredited as Certified Passive House Designers and Emily Harper became a WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) through the International WELL Building Institute dedicated to supporting human health and well-being in the built environment.
Oxtalls Urban Greening, University of Gloucester – 2021
The project was part of an extensive Gloucester City Council Urban Greening initiative. Amenity and biodiversity value has been increased along a mile long section of the Wotton Brook corridor through wildflower meadow seeding, hedgerow planting, and woodland habitat creation. Re-profiling earthworks were carried out to the brook banks to improve waterside access, and increase the channel capacity to attenuate flooding adjacent to the University Campus.
Outer Space @ Glasgow Science Centre – 2021
Co-designed with communities, visitors and end-users the transformation of the external Clyde quayside environment at GSC has adopted a ‘grey to green’ approach to urban landscaping. The project features outdoor interactive science exhibits, a Fibonacci garden at the building entrance, new segregated cycle paths connecting in to the national network, enhanced biodiversity with aquatic planting in the former moats, new soft landscaping and street trees. Existing materials were reused and upcycled including upcycled security bollards reimagined through community art projects with local schools, communities and disability groups. GSC secured a Green Tourism Award in 2021 and is host to the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference Green Zone.
Sunnyside Wellness Village, Bridgend – 2021-22
The Wellness Village has been developed for a sustainable, multi-generational community designed to WELL Standard Principles, and to achieve BREEAM Excellent. The scheme is designed using fabric first principles, with MVHR to all housing units, and the potential to connect to the District Heating Network, to achieve high levels of energy efficiency. The landscape scheme includes natural play, communal courtyard gardens and a community allotment / growing area. Active travel connections are improved, with new routes provided through the site. Read more
Maendy Primary School, Cwmbran – 2021-23
Designed to Passive House Standard, this innovative school will provide high quality, ultra-low energy learning spaces with excellent levels of thermal comfort. The project includes specification of low embodied carbon construction materials as well as integrating sustainable drainage and biodiversity-enhancing outdoor learning environments.
SUNNYSIDE WELLNESS VILLAGEIntegrating Wellness into the design of this sustainable, mixed-use development- GIRVAN COMMUNITY HOSPITALThis building set a new standard for hospital design for the NHS in Scotland
- TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY: THE CURVECompetition-winning design for the heart of Teesside University’s campus
- LOUDOUN SQUAREA collaboration between Cardiff City Council, Cardiff Community Housing Association, Cardiff Local Health Board and Cardiff and Vale NHS
- (Y)OUR CITY CENTRE: GLASGOW REGENERATION FRAMEWORKSCollaboration with MVRDV to design District Regeneration Frameworks for four districts of Glasgow City Centre