May 7, 2008 - Architectural consultancy Arup is incorporating sustainability objectives into its standard service in an effort to help companies design carbon-neutral buildings.

The new two-part design process begins with a strategy document in which the client and design team agree to common project goals. Once the strategy document is in place, both parties collaborate on a Sustainability Design Plan (SDP) outlining sustainable development goals and building design performance parameters for the project.

"Right from the beginning of a project we want to set out a strategy for the design as it is much harder to incorporate key sustainability concepts later," says Alistair Guthrie, leader of Arup Buildings Sustainable Network.

The strategy has already been applied successfully in a number of projects, Arup says, including the redevelopment of St. Paul’s School in London.