Low Energy 2 - Thinking Buildings

Low Energy

Low and zero carbon technologies – what does this mean and what are the options?

Carbon-neutral and Net-zero Carbon are two similar terms. In both cases, parties are working to reduce and balance of their carbon footprint. However, Carbon-neutral refers to balancing out the total amount of carbon emissions, while Net-zero Carbon means no Carbon emission from any activity. Most of the industries and governments become Carbon neutral through the…

New House, Kent

This week, for pure indulgence, we bring you what is still one of our favourite views of this new house project in Kent. This image wonderfully illustrates how the house steps to respond to the sloping site. The interplay and separation of building form was also really important to minimise visual impact, perceived mass, and…

Penkridge, Staffordshire modern home passivhaus standard timber cladding zinc pond reflection

New Case Study – Passivhaus Home

The latest addition to our detailed case studies is this fantastic house in South Staffordshire. The house replaced an existing cottage on the site, which had been repeatedly, unsympathetically extended, and suffered from damp, and poor insulation. The client asked us to use Passivhaus principals to create a modern, high-performance replacement dwelling. The local authority…

What is a Mechanical Ventilation With Heat Recovery System (MVHR)?

Put simply, MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) provides fresh filtered air into a building whilst retaining most of the energy that has already been used in heating the air and building. This is different to most natural ventilation scenarios where stale hot air (from kitchens and bathrooms) is simply exhausted outside along with the…

Pre-School goes to Planning

This great scheme for a new pre-school building has just been submitted for planning approval. The design has been developed to fit with the traditional architecture of the surrounding conservation area, but with a contemporary and fun twist. The entrance is framed by a pop up zinc roof that allows for a discreet signage zone…

Post 16 Building Opens!

We’re delighted that our very own Jess has officially opened the new Post 16 building at John Port Spencer Academy in Etwall, Derby. Jess was invited to open the building due to being a former pupil, and having been actively involved in the delivery of the new Post 16 building. She has personally overseen much…

Sustainable Office Breakthrough in Falkland Islands

We’re thrilled to announce our continued collaboration with Consolidated Fisheries Limited (CFL) in the Falkland Islands as we embark on designing their cutting-edge new office building. Our journey with CFL began in 2018, exploring possibilities for a groundbreaking office space. After obtaining outline planning approval in 2019 for a prime location on the outskirts of Stanley, we’re…

Eco Glamping Pods

The trend of glamping appears to be growing year by year. Glamping, for those who haven’t experienced it, is an increasingly popular type of holiday that combines the freedom and adventure of the great outdoors with the comfort and luxury of a cottage holiday. It’s a way to camp while still enjoying modern and comfortable…

Triple Glazed Windows: Are they the future?

In the ever-evolving world of architecture and sustainable living, the quest for energy efficiency has led to innovations in building materials, with windows becoming more important in the pursuit of greener, more sustainable homes. Walls, floors and roofs have come a long way, so for windows, the next step is triple glazing. The transition from…

Heat Pumps: Is This The Future of Home Heating in the UK?

As concerns about climate change intensify, heat pumps are much talked about in the media. The spotlight on sustainable low-carbon technologies grows brighter, and heat pumps emerge as potential green heating solutions. But, what exactly is a heat pump and how do they work? You may not know much about them and they tend to…