Skillful Means has been described as a “nomadic design-build firm”. We’re not actually nomads (though some of our crew come from Himilayan nomadic families), but we do sometimes live on site in small trailers. As a result we have acquired a heightened appreciation for the natural elements: winds, shade, and the shape of land. Our designs grow from our understanding of place. Like nomads, we try to take advantage of site features in the placement and design of our buildings.

We look at the ecosystem of a building site as a major resource for lighting, heating and cooling, so when we design a building we spend time getting to know our site and develop an idea of how best to utilize it’s features. Our goal is always to make a building that is comfortable without artificial heating or air conditioning. When a building is in harmony with its surroundings it’s a delight for everyone. We understand that our buildings will be the framework and stage for the lives of the people who live there for many, many years. Our aspiration is that our buildings will lift the hearts of those who use them.

We have found that the greatest contribution to sustainability in building can be made by sensible design: using simple, natural, time-tested approaches that are economical of space and material. We explore and adapt thoughtful and traditional building techniques. This approach usually leads to a design that is economical, durable, and good for the community—as well as a delight to the owners. We check our designs' performance using computer simulations and modeling.

Of course we’re familiar with technology and new products that further our goals of energy-efficient, healthy buildings, and we frequently incorporate them into our buildings. Decisions about “sustainable” products are often complex, involving a variety of factors. We explore the impact of manufacturing, transportation, installation and disposal; durability, cost, product availability, disposal of wastes and the old building, as well as other economic and political factors. (Of course first consideration is for the health of the occupants and our environment). It takes a little more effort, but we think it’s our duty as architects to make those informed choices available to our clients.

Designs that use natural and simple materials result in buildings that both look right and feel good. Sustainability in design is the natural outgrowth of our interest in creating healthy and comfortable buildings that will last a long time. That’s our goal.