“We have a responsibility as designers to practice what we preach and make our buildings as sustainable as they can be,” says Jake, adding that there are elements of sustainability that are cost-effective and some that aren’t. In the current building climate, where costs have skyrocketed, he finds the more expensive sustainability elements tend to be the first thing to go when it comes to the clients. “We implement solar panels, rainwater tanks, and passive design principles in all our projects. We find taking it to the next level and increasing insulation and double-glazed windows are things we’re already doing,” he says. SBD Studio has evolved a lot over the last five years. “We were doing 50 smaller projects a year three years ago. But now we’re focusing on doing fewer projects, of higher quality, and the average project value is considerably higher,” says Jake. They like offering clients a As sustainable as possible Photography: Luke Butterly MARCH 2025
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