OUR SUSTAINABILITY VISION
We believe that protecting our natural environment is the foundation for sustaining our planet, community, and economy. MADE BETTER, together is our migration towards a more sustainable architectural future for the protection and preservation of ecosystems and environmental biodiversity [PLANET] and helping to improve the living conditions and wellness of the communities we serve in [PEOPLE].
And we invite you to come along for the journey.
THE WAY WE WORK:
A Single Step
All journeys start with a single step, and this is ours... the commitment of our stakeholders to be NET ZERO by 2050.
But we know commitment without action is a road to nowhere and any route to net zero requires clear thinking and thorough accounting, beginning with accurate measurements of all carbon sources to ultimately reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible.
Naturally, as Tent Architects and Structural Design Engineers, the materials that our designers specify must be efficiently used to create safe, comfortable, and durable structures. To this end, establishing the Tenthouse Sustainability Forum is just the beginning of robust discussions, late nights, and a deep analysis of the processes, practices, and partners that influence how we work.
Missing Coordinates
As an industry, we simply must reduce the embodied carbon of the structures we design through material choice and structural optimization. Yet even as members of the Green Building Council in SA, there is more work that needs to be done to publish real guidance both locally and globally, specific to tented structures.
Beyond the Gate
Since late 2022, we have been following the internationally recognized IStructE guidance, which considers carbon emissions throughout the product life cycle.
These calculations consider material volumes and audited carbon emission data, combined with consideration of the construction process, operational use, and end-of-life deconstruction and recycling to give a cradle-to-grave total count.
But an emissions number alone cannot guide the design and needs to be used in a relative manner when comparing a number of scheme options, supply sources, transportation options, etc. Carbon counting is the tool to steer design choices and present more sustainable options to our clients.
On the Horizon
Within the construction industry, the aim is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and a corresponding carbon reduction path is set to achieve that.
The SCORS system (structural carbon rating system) provides a simple product rating based on cradle-to-gate emissions relative to the building plan area. RIBA targets reinforce that system for the same. The global average of all building types currently sits within the 'E' band (340kgCo/sqm).
Tensile structures, by nature of their efficient and minimalist use of materials, thankfully sit above that line and our current assessment of our typical 'Expedition' Tent finds us within the 'B' band (170kgCo/sqm) with more optimizations to follow and our entire range of products to review.
It's the journey that counts
Our goal at this early stage of our sustainability strategy is to target yearly reductions by developing innovative new systems and materials, supported by disciplined supply chain management to keep us on our elevated path toward carbon neutrality.
Let’s take this journey together! #MadeForTheWild #MadeBetterTogether
THE WAY WE ACT:
Made Better Together Foundation:
The Made Better Together Foundation, is newly formed not-for-profit arm of Tenthouse Structures dedicated to impactful outreach initiatives.
Our mission is clear: empower communities, nurture environmental stewardship, and advocate for equitable access to resources. Guided by our values, we focus on Community Empowerment, Environmental Stewardship, Equity, Inclusion, Collaboration, and Volunteerism.
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Please visit our MADE BETTER TOGETHER FOUNDATION page to learn more about each of our initiatives and how you can be involved. #MadeBetterTogether