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A huge part of what we do involves bringing existing properties and historic buildings back to their former glory, and to retain or restore their heritage and charm. We consistently seek a sustainable approach to interior design, interiors and renovations, and procurement.
Sustainable Approach
Our expert design team look to restore, repair and repurpose the existing architecture as much as possible; this allows us to retain and respect their enviable character and charm, but also minimises waste, the carbon footprint of unnecessary building materials, and ensures a sensitivity to both the local architecture and environment.
Where building waste is created, we recycle and manage waste disposal in line with regional guidance.
Heritage Renovation
At times this can be a more time and labor-intensive approach to renovation but it is central to our ethos - all our homes feel true to their location, vernacular and heritage - and traditional or historic features ground them whilst also making them feel special and unique.
This can be taking an old door and turning it into a dining table, retaining and restoring original tiles, heroing an existing mid-century light fighting or opening up hidden fireplaces.
Local Engagement
Our sustainability goals carry through to all elements of our design and procurement; our interiors team supports local communities and artists in each of our locations by purchasing their work for August homes. In doing so, we seek to reduce the impact of our supply chain and our carbon emissions across our estate.
As we establish these relationships with local artists and the wider community, we hope to support their business and creative endeavors via our own - and create an ecosystem of local suppliers and artisans within our regions that will ensure authenticity alongside local investment.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives
Our overarching goal of a reduced carbon footprint and measurable sustainable actions, means we continue to track our work and efforts.
We are working towards this so that we can share our strategy and the steps we’re taking to continually improve and to become the most environmentally friendly community we can be.
Our August Community is as much about an appreciation of travel and quality of life as it is about our Community, be it the immediate or the far-reaching. We are proud that our community now includes a partnership with the French charity Foyer Imuhira, in Burundi, where they fund a community of children to live together, continue their education and support them as they grow into adults.
When each Collection is complete with a community of homeowners, we are able to support their work by donating funds, furthering their mission.
Founded by our CEO, Mélie Dunod, Foyer Imuhira was considered after Mélie visited Burundi whilst travelling and learnt more about the governance and culture, especially in regards to children and schooling. In 2017, Burundi criminalised children living on the streets, yet many of these children face no other option.
Whether these children are orphans, or forced to leave their homes due to domestic violence or as a result of extreme poverty; homelessness is rarely a choice. For some, incarceration appears to be a better option, but we are determined to help to change that.
Partnering with Foyer Imuhira, August has pledged to donate a percentage of our profits from each complete collection to support their work. These funds enable Imuhira to achieve their wider goal of creating small communities of children and support them into adulthood and work.
For every collection complete, it enables August to pledge more profits towards the cause and support more children.
When we closed our latest Collection, we were able to fund two girls to join the Imuhira community; Bénitta and Bénigne. This is just the start for August and Imuhira, and we look forward to sharing our collective efforts with our August Community as the partnership grows.