Changing working patterns and economic drivers have put a sharp focus on the need for holistic building design, whereby building services systems are integrated into the structural form to achieve optimum user comfort and performance at a low cost. Buro Happold’s multi-disciplinary approach involves working with the client team to develop appropriate conceptual strategies and then using our specialist engineering skills to create interior climates that stimulate productivity, interaction and enjoyment.

We aim to realise our clients’ needs by providing best value advice and expertise across the wide range of factors that affect the environmental behaviour of a building. As consultants we seek to place the needs of the occupants and function of each space as essential goals which must be achieved. As building services engineers we design efficient and sustainable systems to fine tune the internal environment and create comfortable and healthy working and living spaces, while providing the appropriate degree of flexibility and future adaptability.

Using sound building physics principles we create workable solutions in which building form, orientation and materials satisfy the external and internal design criteria. As experts in sustainable design we always aim to incorporate a responsible, global view of energy consumption into the design, using low energy systems and renewable technology whenever possible. Our objective is to ensure that the process is an iterative one that supports our principles of care, value and elegance.

Good design emerges from positive collaboration, so we work with clients, architects and other members of our design team on a day to day basis, advising on systems options and contributing to problem solving. We identify client aspirations early on in the design process – by establishing levels of performance required of the systems we can advise on the appropriate (and most economical) procurement route. Our close involvement with contractors means we can incorporate high levels of buildability and workmanship into our specifications, while encouraging the use of materials from sustainable sources.