Sustainability also brings architectural prestige

Sustainability is an integral part of the architectural project right from its conception, even when designing private homes. We discuss this with Giovanna Mancini, third generation of architects in the Mancini firm which was founded in 1945 and has offices in Paris, Milan and Piacenza. The firm is famous for its attention to details and its creation of custom solutions, from residential and commercial architecture to the restoration of historic buildings and interior design. “Sustainability,” Giovanna Mancini points out, “underlies every design decision, from the building’s orientation to the choice of materials and technologies.”

What principles do you apply for the design of more sustainable architecture?
Right from the start of the design process, we try to create buildings which make the most effective use of the natural resources available, such as sunlight and ventilation, by means of the building’s orientation and shape and the placing of its openings. Similarly, we favour materials with low environmental impact, produced with low CO₂ emissions and recyclable or from renewable sources. We try to use local materials to reduce transport-related impact. Last but not least, we include systems and technologies to improve buildings’ thermal efficiency and renewable energy sources. It’s also important to design buildings to be flexible and adaptable over time. The private home we’re building in Normandy is a tangible example of the application of these principles and of bioclimatic design.

The relationship between architecture and vegetation is fundamental to your projects.
Integrating vegetation into architecture can bring many benefits for both occupants and the surrounding environment. Depending on the building’s architectural type, we design green roofs, living walls, internal gardens or just spaces to accommodate pot plants. We provide solutions to save water, such as rainwater collection systems or devices for the reuse of grey water.

Let’s focus for a while on sustainable materials. How do you choose them?
We select environment-friendly materials that help to create spaces that are healthy and comfortable for occupants. We choose materials like natural stone, bamboo and clay, which require less energy in their production. We use recycled materials like glass, metal, ceramics with a high post-consumer material content or plastic that help to reduce the flow of waste and dependency on virgin resources. We favour natural insulating materials like wood fibre, sheep’s wool or recycled cotton for improving buildings’ energy efficiency. We prefer to work with industrial companies that conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impact. Marazzi is the perfect example of excellence throughout the production cycle.

Let’s talk about certifications and LEED Credits. The choice of materials is fundamental for achieving credits.
The LEED certification process provides us with a clearly defined framework for integrating sustainable practices right from the design phase. The strategy depends on the project and its specific needs, but common factors include the optimisation of energy efficiency, the use of sustainable materials, the management of water resources and indoor environmental quality.
More and more clients, even for private homes, are interested in acquiring LEED certification, because it can add to their project’s prestige and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. In general, environmental awareness and demand for sustainable buildings are on the increase.