What if carbon drives our design from the outset?

This article considers the implications of adopting a carbon-driven design approach – with the express intent of limiting the embodied carbon of the structure. It examines the impact this approach will have on a number of key design decisions – material choice, grids and spans, loads, structural system, foundations, serviceability requirements, facade type and method of construction – and highlights the tensions that may arise between these and the low-carbon goal. The article argues that opting for timber as the initial material choice will likely offer greater flexibility and leave open the option of switching to another material later in the design process should the need arise.