Journal: Ideas & Insights for Sustainable Homes and Retrofits

Our Journal shares expert guidance, creative inspiration, and practical advice from eco-friendly, sustainable architects in London. Whether you’re planning a low-energy extension, a sensitive retrofit of a period property, or a future-ready new build, you’ll find insights here on Passivhaus principles, natural materials, and planning advice to help you create a brighter, warmer, healthier home that works beautifully today and tomorrow.

Insulation Scandal? Why Good Design and Oversight Matter More Than Ever in Retrofit

A government-backed insulation scheme meant to cut bills and carbon has left thousands of homes colder, damper, and in some cases uninhabitable. At the heart of the scandal is not insulation itself, but poor design, bad workmanship, and missing oversight. This blog explores why breathable materials, moisture-aware detailing and proper ventilation matter — and what homeowners can do to avoid the same mistakes.

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Choosing a Builder for Your Home Extension or Renovation: An Architect's Guide for Homeowners

Selecting the right builder for your project is essential for transforming your vision into reality. Whether it is a basement extension, a ground floor extension or a mansard roof extension, adding a good builder to your project team can be the difference between a smooth experience and a renovation disaster.

If you own a historic building, like a Victorian terrace or Georgian house, choosing the right builder will help protect or enhance the value of your asset. If you have a sustainable project, opting for a contractor who has experience with eco-friendly house extensions and sustainable materials is more likely to deliver your architect's sustainable design and ensure your home not only meets its intended performance but also minimises energy demand and environmental impact.

Collecting construction cost estimates and then not knowing how to choose is a recipe for disaster. Skilled architects recognise that the choice of builder significantly influences the project’s integrity, affecting everything from construction quality to the realisation of your dream.

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