Environmental policy

Environment

HE Architects is committed to minimizing our potential impact on the environment. We will operate in compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and we will strive to use pollution prevention and environmental best practices in all we do. Our environmental objectives will be set out in accordance with the framework provided in the Environmental Management Strategy.

Intro

HE Architects is an Architecture Practice registered under the Chartered Practice Scheme of the Royal Institute of British Architects and has developed an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on BS EN ISO 14001:2015. The system supports the Practice’s Business Plan, strategy, and aspirations and will assist the Practice to deliver professional services of the highest standards.

It is the policy of the Practice to "Behave in a socially responsible manner concerning the impact of its offices and its work upon the natural environment, the existing built environment, and the public at large". Prior to commencing work on any project, the Directors will ascertain any specific environmental standards to be applied to the project by the Client. The Practice has developed an Environmental Management System in compliance with ISO 14001: 2015 to satisfy the requirements of this Environmental Policy Statement.

WORKPLACE

Integrate the consideration of environmental concerns and impacts into all of our decision-making and activities.
Promote environmental awareness among our employees and encourage them to work in an environmentally responsible manner, such as by working electronically wherever it is safe and secure to do so while ensuring that all key information is fully and securely backed up.
Reduce waste through reuse and recycling and by purchasing recycled, recyclable, or refurbished equipment, products, and materials where these alternatives are available, economical, and suitable.
Ensure responsible disposal of remaining unavoidable waste.
Promote efficient use of space heating/lighting, equipment, materials, and resources including water, electricity, raw materials, and other resources, particularly those that are non-renewable.
Purchase and use environmentally responsible products accordingly.
Include energy efficiency as one of the selection criteria when purchasing new equipment.
Avoid unnecessary use of hazardous materials and products, seek substitutions when feasible, and take all reasonable steps to protect human health and the environment when such materials must be used, stored, and disposed of.
Where required by legislation or where significant health, safety, or environmental hazards exist, develop and maintain appropriate emergency response programs.
Communicate our environmental commitment to Clients and interested parties and encourage them to support it.
Strive to continually improve our environmental performance and minimize the social impact and damage of activities by periodically reviewing our environmental policy in light of our current and planned future activities.
Use public transport in preference to travel by car wherever it is possible and effective to do so.

DESIGN

To raise the awareness of Clients about sustainability and environmental protection and help the members of the design team to develop a shared vision of environmental aspirations.
To encourage the Client to undertake a sustainability assessment for the project such as BREEAM, LEED, SKA, and/or WELL.
To strive to attain the highest achievable accreditation for any assessment method selected.
To encourage where possible, the protection and enhancement of existing biodiversity on site.
To make the best use of orientation and shape to reduce the need for artificial forms of conditioning.
To operate a ‘right-first-time’ culture (through our QM system) for our production information in order to avoid wasteful site reworking.
To minimize the use of construction materials and specify materials and components with the optimum balance between environmental impact, performance, and value in use.
To ensure that all timber we specify is sustainably sourced.
To encourage the use of building services that are inherently efficient and controllable and are metered to encourage monitoring and management of resource use.
Ensure that buildings are commissioned fully before handover and that full operating manuals are provided.
To support Clients in the first few months of operation by providing on-site training and advice to ensure that systems are fine-tuned and operate in accordance with the design intent.