Sustainable Architecture in Cardiff, South Wales & South England | Net-Zero Design

Cardiff’s Sustainability Blueprint: Building for 2036

Sustainability:

At Jamatek, we align our projects with Cardiff’s Replacement Local Development Plan (2021-2036) to create spaces that meet the city’s ambitious targets:

26,400 new homes (25% affordable) and 32,300 jobs by 2036.
50:50 split between brownfield and greenfield development, prioritizing sites like Cardiff Docks and International Sports Village.
Tree canopy expansion from 19% to 25% of land use.

Our Chartered team integrates these goals into every project, ensuring compliance with Cardiff Council’s One Planet and Clean Air Plan.

Our Sustainability Design Services

Circular Economy Solutions

Material reuse: Salvage 75%+ of existing structures (e.g., Amber Vista’s refurbishment used MechSlip cladding to retain embodied carbon).
Modular construction: Accelerate timelines for Build-to-Rent and affordable housing.
Remanufactured furniture: Reduce CO₂ by 80% vs. new items (as seen in NHS Wales projects).

Net-Zero Energy Design

District heating networks: Implemented in Atlantic Wharf and Cardiff Bay Peninsula.
Solar-ready roofs: Pre-install infrastructure for future PV panels.
Air-source heat pumps: Deployed in Tannery Studios-inspired South England projects.

Biodiversity & Green Infrastructure

Urban forests: Expand tree cover with native species like Welsh oak.
Green roofs: Integrate sedum mats and rainwater harvesting.
Wildlife corridors: Connect river valleys and parks across developments.

Sustainable Transport Integration

Transit-oriented design: Prioritize projects near Cardiff Metro hubs and cycle highways.
Car-free zones: Implemented in Central Quay Phase 2 and Roath Basin developments.
EV charging: Standard in all new residential/commercial schemes.

Cardiff vs. South England Focus Areas

Initiative	Cardiff	South England
Policy Driver	One Planet Cardiff (net-zero by 2030)2 6	Local Net Zero Partnerships (e.g., Surrey Climate Pact)
Brownfield Sites	Cardiff Docks, Central Quay1 4	Thames Estuary, coastal regeneration
Materials	Reclaimed Welsh slate, lime mortar4 5	Hempcrete, recycled marine plastics

Case Studies

Amber Vista, Lakeside Cardiff

Challenge: Transform a 1960s shopping parade into a mixed-use hub.
Solution:
- MechSlip cladding (75% less material than traditional masonry).
- Retained structure to preserve embodied carbon.
- Mixed-use zoning with high-end apartments and retail.

Atlantic Wharf Regeneration

15,000-seat arena with district heating.
1,050 homes using modular construction for speed and waste reduction.

NHS Wales Offices, Cardiff Bay

94% furniture reuse saved 134 tonnes of CO₂.
Innovation rooms with writable walls to reduce paper use.

The Jamatek Sustainability Process

Carbon Audit
Assess existing site conditions and reuse potential.
Regenerative Design
Create masterplans that enhance biodiversity and community health.
Stakeholder Workshops
Align projects with Cardiff Council’s Well-being of Future Generations Act.
Post-Occupancy Monitoring
Track energy use and indoor air quality for continuous improvement.

Why Cardiff Chooses Jamatek

CIAT accreditation: Guaranteed compliance with Cardiff’s Residential Design Guide.
Local partnerships: Work with Ty-Mawr (lime products) and Smile Plastics (recycled materials).
Transparent reporting: Annual sustainability impact statements for clients.

Ready to build sustainably?
Contact our Cardiff-based team for a free carbon audit — a trusted partner to homeowners, developers, and architects in Cardiff working towards sustainable, net-zero projects.

Sustainability