technical expertise

 

 

Metrics

We cannot control what we do not measure. Building performance must be based on realistic design assumptions, and these assumptions tested against actual performance. Just as important as the objective performance of building systems, the intangible performance of human comfort and delight must be included.

Integrated Energy Systems

K+C are pioneers in the integrations of photovoltaics into buildings, having designed the first commercial BIPV project in the US in 1989. We have refined BIPV technology through projects, R&D contracts with industry, and studies for government. We seek to optimize any renewable energy potential in our projects, and this has included solar thermal systems and passive solar principles, as well as studies of integrated wind and local hydropower. In every case we try to achieve energy system solutions that are beautiful, functional elements of the project.

Integrated Water Systems

Water is as important an issue as energy, in some cases more so. Where possible, we try to capture and make use of local water resources - in urban environments rainwater is not simply wasted, it becomes a contaminated load on water and waste infrastructure.

Integrated Landscape

Plants can provide a rich multiplicity of services to the built environment, from moderating temperature to filtering and oxygenating the air, to capturing and controlling water flows, to providing habitat. For the world's now-majority urban population, these benefits are magnified as density of development increases.

All these living elements can provide value in terms of energy, air quality, and even food production, but we feel the greatest benefit may be to the health, happiness and productivity of people who might otherwise have less contact with nature.

Integrated Agriculture

An extreme integration of plants into buildings is building-integrated food production, which we are developing via integrated hydroponic systems. There is great potential for shared services between adjacent building and greenhouse elements.