K E Y   P R I N C I P L E S

Design features that we at Gale & Snowden incorporate into our architecture aim to achieve maximum savings in energy and water running costs and include:

Energy efficiency

  • Making the most of natural daylight, through rooflights and windows to give buildings a light and airy feel as well as being primarily day lit

  • Buildings are super-insulated, and triple-glazed timber windows are specified to minimise heat loss

  • Thermal mass is incorporated in the internal walls and floor to reduce fluctuations in internal temperature, and new buildings are orientated where possible to benefit from passive solar gain

  • Buildings are designed to require minimum space heating. All new buildings will require no space heating for most of the time apart from exceptionally cold periods. Energy-efficient boilers are specified and renewable energy sources such as solar, coppiced timber and ground-source heat pumps are adopted wherever appropriate

  • Energy-efficient lighting and appliances are also specified. In public buildings, infra-red person sensors in the main areas and WCs with daylight-override controls are recommended.

  • Passive ventilation systems are specified where possible for energy-efficient ventilation of kitchens and bathrooms, further reducing energy consumption

Water efficiency

  • We adopt appliances with low water consumption such as 3/6 litre dual flush WCs, pressure reduction valves, low consumption showers and taps

  • Rainwater collection from the roof, for use in WCs and external watering further reduces the demand for and cost of water supply

Low maintenance

  • We specify natural, durable, and low maintenance finishes. In new buildings, exteriors are clad in untreated green oak, which requires minimal aftercare

Healthy buildings & environments

Gale & Snowden Architects design buildings in accordance with good practice to achieve healthy environments through the careful selection of non-toxic materials and through healthy design principles such as:

  • Specification of hard floor surfaces throughout (tiles, marmoleum, timber) to avoid dustmites

  • Energy efficiency and adequate and natural ventilation to ensure thermal comfort

  • Adequate provision of daylight

  • Organic paints, stains and waxes throughout

  • Minimum use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

  • Avoiding the use of PVC by careful product selection

  • A ‘breathing’ construction so that vapour migrates through the fabric in a controlled way, achieved by careful specification

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  • Minimising the building’s environmental impact by the adoption of sustainable materials featuring low-embodied energy, and derived from the most locally available and sustainable sources

External landscape

Where possible, our designs will enhance the landscape by:

  • Hedge planting, including native species, around the site perimeter to enhance wildlife

  • Micro-climate design including windbreaks to shelter the site

  • Enhancing and creating new water features to provide grey and black water treatment and additional wildlife habitat

  • Forest garden and permaculture planting techniques, featuring trees and shrubs that are largely native to the area, as well as decorative and fruiting. Planting should be mainly perennial or self-seeding

  • Reinforcement of existing wildlife habitats and creation of new ones