Architectural performance consulting

Designed
to
Perform

I help architecture and interior design studios, as well as independent clients, design spaces that work well with daylight, stay comfortable year-round, and use less energy, all before construction starts.

Let's talk
Daylight autonomy plan of a house, showing what share of working hours each part of the floor is naturally lit.

Services

01

Daylight & Shading

Will this glazing spec cause glare at the till, or fade merchandise near the window? Should you go with louvers, a canopy, or tinted film, and does it cost you daylight? I model your specific facade and compare real options, so the shading decision is based on how the light actually behaves, not guesswork.

Sun path dome over a house model, with the floor coloured by how many hours of direct sun each area receives across the year.

02

Overheating & Comfort

A loft conversion or glazed extension can trap heat in ways that only show up in July. I test the room before it's built, flagging overheating risk from glazing, orientation, or insulation choices, and showing what design changes actually bring it down.

Section through a glazed extension showing the summer and winter sun angles Summer sun vs winter sun June: high, straight onto the glass December: low, deep across the floor House Extension June December Heat collects Tested hour by hour across a full year of local weather

03

Energy Options

Is the upgraded glazing or wall insulation actually worth it? I compare your real material and construction options, so you can see which architectural decisions make a measurable difference before they're locked in.

Scope: architectural decisions only. Mechanical and hot water systems are outside what I look at here.

Bar chart comparing energy use for five construction options Energy use by option As drawn Better glazing Roof insulation Wall insulation All three 108 88 84 79 61 0 40 80 120 Kilowatt-hours per m² each year. Glazing, walls and roof only

Process

Four steps,
start to finish

  1. 01

    Share your plans

    Send your drawings or concept, wherever you are in the process.

  2. 02

    I run the analysis

    Daylight, comfort, or energy simulation, depending on what you need.

  3. 03

    You get clear results

    Visuals and plain-language findings, not just numbers.

  4. 04

    We adjust together

    Recommendations you can actually use, before it's built.

Why it matters

Good light and a comfortable temperature aren't just performance numbers. They shape how a space actually feels to be in. The way a room handles light and air affects mood, focus, and how long people want to stay. This is the idea behind neuroarchitecture: a space is designed to be felt, not just looked at.

After six months living in Japan, I saw this firsthand in traditional architecture, where light and shadow, materials, layout, and connection to the outdoors are never decoration, they're fundamental to how a space feels. Wellbeing, sustainability, and good design aren't separate conversations there. They're the same one.

I look at every project this way, not just how it performs but how it will feel to be in.

About

Carolina Sarmiento

Carolina
Sarmiento

I'm an architect with over 10 years of experience in sustainability consultancy across the UK. I hold a degree in Architecture and an MSc in Environmental Design from the University of Bath. I trained and qualified as a LEED AP and Passivhaus Designer.

Before working independently, I was a Senior Sustainability Consultant at Sweco UK, working on large commercial and mixed-use projects. Today I work directly with architecture and interior design studios, as well as independent clients, bringing that same rigor to a boutique store or a small home renovation.

Pricing

One price,
agreed up front

Fixed scope, fixed fee. Simple as that.

Service Up to Price Turnaround
Daylight & Shading 120 m² $950 1–2 weeks
Overheating & Comfort 120 m² $950 1–2 weeks
Energy Options 120 m² $950 1–2 weeks
Full bundle (all three) 120 m² $2,600 2 weeks

Prices shown for spaces up to 120 m². Larger projects: +$4 per additional m², up to 400 m². Beyond that, custom quote.

Contact

Have a project
in mind?

A sketch or floor plan with dimensions included is enough to start. Tell me where the project is and when you need answers.

What are you working on? Let me know in an email and we'll take it from there.

Email me

Remote, working internationally
LinkedIn