Founder and lead architect of Veld Architects, Gillian Holl, champions what she calls ‘architecture with a conscience’. Dedicated to sustainability, she speaks to the importance of working with nature for relevant, cohesive design.
Which design strategies are central to your practice?
Passive design is fundamental to our work. We prioritise natural ventilation through cross breezes and manage solar exposure using extended overhangs, screens, brise-soleils, and blinds. We also integrate landscape as a design tool. Indigenous plants foster biodiversity and ground the building in its context. In cities, roof gardens support rewilding while improving insulation and thermal performance. It’s all about aligning with nature — not overpowering it. Ultimately, our approach to sustainability is about co-existing with nature, respecting its rhythms, and designing in dialogue with the land.
What are some low-impact materials you frequently use?
Clay brick is a go-to material. Its appeal lies in its durability, longevity, and low embodied energy. Made from natural, locally sourced materials like clay, sand, and water, it aligns with our sustainability goals while offering long-term performance. We particularly value its thermal mass — its ability to absorb and release heat slowly, which helps regulate indoor temperatures and reduce the need for active heating and cooling. We also appreciate the aesthetic and longevity of flush-jointed, colour-matched pointing, where the mortar is tinted to match the brick tone. This detail results in a monolithic, refined finish with enduring visual appeal. Despite some misconceptions around face brick in contemporary design, we find it timeless — efficient, expressive, and deeply sustainable.
Where do you begin?
We study the landscape, the movement of light, the path of wind. Sun orientation, topography, and breeze patterns become guiding elements. This informed yet intuitive approach underpins our passive strategies and grounds the design in place. It’s how sustainability becomes second nature.
“Clay brick is a go-to material. Its appeal lies in its durability, longevity, and low embodied energy.”
