Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
No formal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or quantified embodied-carbon calculation was undertaken for the project; therefore, verified figures for embodied carbon or biogenic carbon storage in kg CO₂-eq./m² are not provided.
Embodied carbon was nevertheless a key consideration in the design and construction process. The project prioritised the adaptive reuse of the existing coffee mill, limiting the amount of new construction required. The new extension was built predominantly from locally sourced timber recovered from naturally fallen trees in the surrounding jungle, reducing the need for industrially processed materials and long-distance transportation.
The timber was dried and prepared locally using traditional methods and worked on site by a local carpenter and his assistant. The design adapted to the species, dimensions and condition of the available timber, helping to minimise processing and material waste.
As the project makes extensive use of timber, the building fabric contains biogenic carbon stored within the wood. However, this has not been quantified and is therefore not claimed as a numerical carbon-capture value. No specific LCA software or carbon database was used.
Operational Emissions / Energy
No formal operational carbon assessment has been undertaken; therefore, a verified kg CO₂-eq./m²/year figure is not provided. Operational energy demand is minimised through passive design strategies developed specifically for the hot, humid tropical climate of the Polochic Valley. The building is naturally ventilated throughout, with mosquito-netted openings instead of glass allowing continuous cross-ventilation. Deep roof overhangs reduce direct solar gain and protect against heavy rainfall, while adjustable timber shutters allow occupants to regulate shade and airflow. The new timber extension is elevated above the ground, reducing exposure to moisture and encouraging air circulation beneath the structure. Together, these strategies substantially reduce reliance on mechanical cooling and allow thermal comfort to be achieved primarily through passive means.
Service and maintenance emissions
No formal assessment of service and maintenance carbon emissions has been undertaken; therefore, a verified kg CO₂-eq./m²/year figure is not provided. The project was designed around a limited material palette, simple construction methods and predominantly locally sourced timber, reducing reliance on complex building systems and imported components. Passive ventilation and solar protection also reduce the need for mechanical cooling equipment and its associated servicing, repair and replacement. Timber elements were handcrafted and assembled locally using straightforward construction techniques, allowing individual components to be maintained, repaired or replaced by local craftspeople where necessary. This approach prioritises durability, repairability and local maintenance rather than dependence on specialised systems or external supply chains.
Afterlife
The project itself is an exercise in adaptive reuse, transforming part of an existing working coffee mill into a dwelling while retaining the building’s agricultural function. The intervention was deliberately kept light and limited, allowing the existing structure to remain legible and operational. The new timber extension has an open and relatively simple spatial organisation, giving it the potential to accommodate different domestic or communal uses in the future without substantial alteration. Rather than designing for a fixed end state, the project seeks to extend the useful life of the existing building while allowing it to continue evolving over time.
The project was not conceived as a fully demountable structure, but its simple timber construction allows many individual components to be maintained, repaired, replaced or potentially reused. The structure combines traditional timber joints with bolts, screws, nails and, where required, glued connections. Mechanically fixed elements—including shutters, frames, boards and selected structural components—can generally be removed independently, facilitating repair and extending their useful life. At the end of the building’s life, suitable timber elements could potentially be recovered and repurposed locally, although glued and nailed connections may limit the non-destructive disassembly of some components. No formal design-for-disassembly or circularity assessment was undertaken.