colin bell architect

Sustainability has been the corner stone of CBA from its early work in the mid 90’s, this includes the ethos and believes: That Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable - to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs and that the "environment" is where we live; and "development" is what we all do in attempting to improve our lot within that abode. The two are inseparable. (Bruntland and WCED 1987) Having spent formative years, working with my father in a joinery workshop, introduced me to the principle of an economic use of materials with a minimum of waste which is still at the heart of my practice. Discovering the work of Walter Segal was a defining moment, confirming that architecture could empower and inspire people. As a visiting tutor at Hull School of Architecture in the early 80’s Segal was inspirational. The honesty and simplicity of his method is a model for excellence. Moving to Sligo in the 90’s enabled the development of a Segal method appropriate for the local climate using home grown durable timbers. This was an attempt to build post and beam timber construction built economically and sustainably with a defined timber structure that could be expressed internally. CBA was formed in 1996 and since then has developed different aspects of sustainability including low energy buildings and also the relationship in architecture between health and well being. The UIA (The International Union of Architects) state that Architecture should inspire and ennoble which for CBA means that Sustainability in the practise goes beyond energy and environmental issues as it is about a built environment where architect and client take responsibility for a wide reaching improved quality of life.