Sustainability

Forma Nova designs architecture that performs as well as it looks. Sustainability is not a feature we add at the end. It is how we design from the first decision.

Good design and responsibility belong together. The places we design are meant to last, to sit well on their sites, and to stay comfortable and efficient through the full range of a year, from cold winters to hot summers.

Designing with the climate

A building's site, light, and seasons are starting points, not obstacles. We shape buildings to work with the local climate so they rely less on mechanical systems and feel better to occupy.

• Orientation and form tuned for daylight and seasonal solar control.
• Glazing and shading balanced for warm summers and cold winters alike.
• Landscape preserved where we can, so the site keeps its character.

Envelope and energy performance

Designing for four full seasons means designing a building that holds its comfort efficiently. We approach the envelope and detailing with energy performance in mind, so a Forma Nova design is made to stay efficient over the long term.

• Building envelope approached with insulation and air tightness as priorities.
• Durable assemblies chosen to age well through freeze, thaw, and heat.
• Long service life valued over short term savings.

Materials and landscape

We favor durable materials and, where it makes sense, responsible sourcing, so our designs are rooted in their place and built to endure. We treat the landscape as part of the architecture, designing outdoor space as carefully as the rooms within.

Designed for community

Sustainability includes the people who live and work with what we design. Our projects are made to contribute to and strengthen their communities, with shared landscape and gathering space that make a place worth returning to.