The focus on sustainable construction derives from Jim Allen’s initial career experience working with the Intermediate Technology Development Group in southern Africa. ITDG were founded by Prof.Schumacher (author of Small is Beautiful among other seminal works). Jim worked to develop alternative construction technologies using available resources, working primarily with lime and naturally occurring volcanic material. Essentially this involved updating roman technology to work in a modern context. Needless to say, these were almost by definition, sustainable technologies.
This early focus on lime based materials has enabled Jim to pioneer more recent research work on lime for application in the UK construction sector and this has led quite naturally to a wider practice commitment to sustainable technologies embracing timber frame construction. These two disciplines come together in lime hemp walling, another area where the practice has expertise. Our focus extends beyond traditional boundaries and we are committed to making wider contributions to debate within design team and client groupings, helping to shape in some cases policy but certainly on specific projects being able to focus on pragmatic decision making to ensure desired outcomes are achieved.
