Climate and solar analysis
Use sun path, shading, heat and daylight studies to shape massing, facade and landscape decisions.
Environmental Design
Create places that restore ecology, manage water and build resilience.
Service overview
What is Environmental Design?
Environmental Design integrates climate, site, resource use, comfort and environmental impact into the planning and design process from the early project stage. It fits new developments, renovations, master plans and organizations that want sustainability embedded before major design decisions are fixed. INDEX helps analyze project context, set environmental priorities, advise design options and coordinate with architects, engineers and stakeholders.
- Water-sensitive design
- Biodiversity strategy
- Climate resilience
- Nature-based solutions
Service scope
How we support the project
Practical consulting workstreams that help owners, designers and operators move from target setting to usable evidence.
Comfort and microclimate review
Review thermal comfort, wind, outdoor comfort and passive opportunities for the site.
Water and site resilience
Assess rainwater, runoff, flood risk, irrigation and water-sensitive design opportunities.
Ecology and landscape strategy
Coordinate planting, biodiversity, heat island and site-management choices.
Performance option comparison
Compare design options using evidence so teams can make decisions before changes become expensive.
Checklist
What to prepare before we begin
Early project information helps the team confirm feasibility, focus the right strategies and reduce rework during documentation.
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01
Site location and orientation
Location, boundary, orientation and surrounding context start the environmental analysis.
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02
Massing and facade options
Early massing, facade concepts and window assumptions help compare performance.
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03
Landscape and open-space plan
Planting, hardscape, water bodies and outdoor-use plans support site strategy.
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04
Climate and risk data
Weather, rainfall, flood, heat and wind data guide resilience strategies.
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05
User and operation requirements
Occupancy, schedules and operational needs affect comfort and environmental priorities.
FAQ
Common questions
What is environmental design?
Environmental design integrates climate, site, energy, water, materials, ecology and human comfort into design decisions from the earliest project stages.
When should environmental analysis be undertaken?
Undertake it at feasibility and concept design, when orientation, massing, facade, landscape and system choices can still be shaped efficiently.
Which studies can support design decisions?
Depending on the project, studies may include solar and shading analysis, daylight, thermal comfort, energy, water, wind, flood, ecology and material assessments.
Can environmental design reduce project cost?
It can reduce avoidable redesign and help prioritize passive or low-maintenance strategies, but the value depends on early timing and decision discipline.
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert