Have you ever walked into a home and felt instantly comfortable, no matter the season outside? What if you could create that same inviting atmosphere in your own energy-efficient home? The key lies in understanding thermal comfort, which is not just a luxury—it's the cornerstone of sustainable living.

As energy costs continue to rise while we distance ourselves for our sustainability targets, the importance of designing energy-efficient homes has never been clearer. It’s a journey that blends innovative approaches, sustainability, and personal aesthetics. Yet, with so many choices and variables to consider, the path to achieving a thermally efficient home can be daunting. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by technical jargon and design options.

Designing your dream home should start with a vision of not only what you want to achieve but also what benefits you hope to gain—thermal comfort being at the forefront. In this article, I will outline key considerations for crafting a home that balances energy efficiency with personal comfort. From insulation techniques to window placements, your choices can transform your living space into a model of sustainability. Let’s explore how you can turn your aspirations into reality while contributing positively to the planet.

The subject of indoor air quality is about more than just stuffy air; it is about air pollution inside your home.

Indoor air quality is a hidden concern that affects our health, comfort, and overall well-being. With modern homes becoming tighter and more energy-efficient, the very things that keep our homes cozy could also be trapping pollutants inside. From dust and pet dander to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from furniture and cleaning products, the sources of indoor air pollution are plentiful and often unnoticed.

Improving your indoor air quality isn’t just a noble endeavour; it's essential for creating a healthy environment for you and your loved ones. Understanding the key aspects contributing to poor air quality is the first step, and implementing effective strategies can transform your living space into a sanctuary of freshness. In this article, we'll explore the key factors affecting indoor air quality and unveil the best design solutions that will help you breathe easier in your own home.

In my last article, I discussed the relationship between the Passive House standard and the making of a healthy home. I spoke about how the Passive House standard, which can be considered a measure of peak fitness, can serve as a strong foundation for your healthy home, a home that will also embrace more holistic issues.

When we tell people that we make healthy homes, they often look confused. And that is fair given the unhealthy state of the UK building stock which is the oldest and poorest performing in Europe. As architects, we have met successful people, middle to upper-class families, whose homes were so rotten they found slugs in their shower and insects in the children's cereal. If these experiments in indoor biodiversity were the spark for their refurbishment project, you don’t need statistics to say that we are accustomed to a low standard for our homes.