At Gran, we understand that sustainable design starts with the very foundation of each project, and encompasses both large and small-scale decisions about every aspect of the design – such as site, systems, and materials. We recognize that the siting and solar exposure of the building will have significant implications on the construction and operational costs. Sometimes very simple things, such as careful consideration of natural ventilation, often result in improved comfort conditions without the requirement for expensive air conditioning systems. We look carefully at the embodied energy costs of the materials we select, and search for ways to incorporate components that contain recycled materials, resulting in designs that are not only environmentally sustainable, but are also cost-efficient and elegant.