Sustainability Report

Embodied carbon strategies

• The development prioritises a long design life and material robustness as a strategy for minimising embodied carbon. The houses are constructed from heavyweight masonry — primarily brick and clay tile — selected for their durability, local availability, and capacity to age gracefully over time. 
• By designing buildings that are intended to be loved, maintained, and preserved rather than replaced, Harp & Harp aims to reduce the carbon impacts associated with demolition and new construction. 
• The studio’s emphasis on permanence and adaptability ensures that the embodied energy invested in the buildings continues to yield value over multiple generations. By creating homes designed to last and evolve, Harp & Harp reduces the need for future reconstruction, turning longevity into a form of carbon efficiency.

Operational emissions strategies

• Each home incorporates energy-efficient systems and an optimised building fabric to reduce operational emissions. Every house is equipped with an individual air source heat pump for space and water heating and achieves an EPC C rating. 
• High levels of insulation and the use of low-energy lighting further improve thermal performance and reduce overall energy demand. 
• Together, these measures deliver meaningful reductions in day-to-day emissions compared to typical suburban housing of a similar scale and age.

Service and maintenance strategies

• A low-maintenance material strategy underpins the project’s approach to lifecycle emissions. The external fabric — composed of brick and clay tile — was selected for its long lifespan, weather resistance, and minimal upkeep requirements. These materials develop a natural patina rather than requiring frequent refinishing, avoiding unnecessary resource use and emissions from maintenance activities. 
• The focus on craftsmanship and material integrity supports the long-term performance of the buildings with minimal intervention.