Passivhaus Architects for Low-Energy New Build and Retrofit in London
At Studio CMA, we believe great architecture should improve how a home feels to live in today, while responding carefully to its history and long-term performance.
We specialise in designing new homes and upgrading existing ones using the Passivhaus standard, a rigorous approach to delivering genuinely low-energy, high-comfort buildings. Whether you are planning a new home or considering a deep retrofit, we apply Passivhaus principles with professional judgement. The aim is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a home that is comfortable in every season, uses very little energy, and remains resilient as energy costs rise.
Our work sits within a considered whole-house approach, where comfort, health, performance, and long-term value are addressed together rather than through piecemeal upgrades.
Passivhaus Country Home
When Passivhaus is the right choice
Passivhaus is most effective when a home can be designed as a complete system from the outset. This means considering the building form, structure, insulation, airtightness, and ventilation together, rather than as separate technical add-ons. When these elements are coordinated early, performance is designed in rather than chased later.
For new-build homes, this level of integration is both achievable and cost-effective. The result is a house that feels calm and stable throughout the year, with very low energy demand and reduced reliance on complex heating or cooling systems.
Our role as Passivhaus architects is to guide these decisions carefully. We help clients understand the implications of each choice early in the process, so comfort, performance, and cost remain aligned and there are no surprises further down the line.
Designing Comfortable, Low-Energy Homes with Passivhaus
A Passivhaus-designed home delivers stable internal temperatures, excellent air quality, and very low energy demand throughout the year. These outcomes are achieved through careful architectural design and coordination, not bolt-on technologies.
This approach is particularly valuable for homeowners planning a new build or a deep retrofit, where early decisions about form, fabric, and construction have the greatest long-term impact. Many clients exploring this route are also considering broader performance upgrades to existing buildings, which we address through our retrofit-led approach to whole-house improvement.
The key benefits of working with a Passivhaus architect include:
Lower Energy Bills
Passivhaus buildings use very little energy for heating and cooling through insulation, airtight construction, and efficient ventilation, leading to long-term cost savings.
Superior comfort and air quality
Even internal temperatures, no drafts, and fresh filtered air year-round support health and wellbeing.
High build quality
Rigorous design and construction standards lead to durable buildings that perform as intended and require less maintenance.
Reliable performance
Passivhaus buildings consistently meet performance targets, providing confidence in long-term comfort and efficiency.
Long-term value
Energy-efficient homes are increasingly attractive in the market and better protected against rising energy costs and regulatory change.
How we work as Passivhaus architects
As Passivhaus architects, our role is to help homeowners make confident, whole-house decisions about comfort, energy use, and long-term performance. Clients often come to us looking for a Passive House architect or Passivhaus designer because they want certainty. They want to know that the home they are investing in will feel good to live in, perform as expected, and remain resilient as energy costs and regulations change.
Passivhaus design focuses on how the building fabric performs as a system. In practical terms, this means paying close attention to insulation, airtightness, windows, and ventilation from the outset. When these elements are carefully coordinated, the home holds heat more effectively, avoids drafts, and maintains a stable internal temperature with very low energy demand. Fresh air is supplied continuously through controlled ventilation, rather than relying on accidental gaps or opening windows in winter.
We apply this approach to both new-build homes and deep retrofits. For new projects, designing to Passivhaus principles from the start allows performance to be built in naturally, without unnecessary complexity. For existing buildings, particularly older or period homes, the same principles are adapted with care. Our job as Passive House architects is to judge how far they should be applied, in what sequence, and with what level of intervention, so that improvements work together rather than create unintended problems.
A fabric-first mindset underpins all of this work. This simply means prioritising the parts of the building that separate inside from outside before adding systems or technologies. When the building fabric is right, homes are easier to heat, more comfortable year-round, and less dependent on mechanical solutions to compensate for poor performance.
Throughout the process, we focus on outcomes rather than labels. Some clients choose formal certification. Others apply Passivhaus principles selectively to achieve the right balance of comfort, cost, and disruption. In both cases, our role as Passivhaus architects and designers is to guide decisions early, explain trade-offs clearly, and ensure the home performs as intended once built and occupied.
Our Passivhaus services for retrofits and new builds
At Studio CMA, we provide Passivhaus architectural services for both new homes and existing buildings across London. Clients come to us looking for a Passivhaus architect or Passive House designer because they want clear guidance on how far to go, in what order, and with what level of intervention. Our role is to translate Passivhaus design principles into practical, buildable solutions that suit the building, the budget, and how the home will be lived in.
Retrofit-led upgrades for existing homes
For existing buildings, including many period properties, we apply Passivhaus principles selectively and with care. The aim is to improve comfort and energy performance without introducing unintended risks. Our work focuses on understanding how the building currently behaves and setting out a clear, phased approach where appropriate.
This typically includes:
An initial assessment of the building fabric and constraints
A performance-led retrofit strategy that prioritises comfort and durability
Careful upgrades to insulation, airtightness, and ventilation, explained in plain English
Planning work in stages for homes that remain occupied during construction
Passivhaus-informed new build design
For new homes, Passivhaus design provides a robust framework for achieving very low energy use and consistent comfort from the outset. Designing with these principles early allows performance to be integrated naturally, rather than added later.
Our new-build work typically includes:
Architectural design from concept through to construction
Iterative energy modelling to test design decisions as the project develops
Guidance on form, orientation, glazing, shading, and materials
Coordination with consultants to ensure performance intent is delivered on site
Feasibility and early decision support
Not every project needs to pursue the same level of performance. For clients who are still exploring options, we offer early feasibility work to help clarify what is realistic and worthwhile.
This may include:
High-level energy modelling to understand current or proposed performance
Comparison of upgrade options in terms of cost, comfort, and disruption
Advice on phased versus comprehensive approaches
Early identification of risks related to moisture, airtightness, or construction quality
Design-to-build involvement
We remain involved through construction to help ensure that Passivhaus principles are delivered in practice, not just on paper. This continuity is critical to achieving the comfort and performance clients expect.
This typically includes:
Detailed technical design and construction information
Support during contractor selection and briefing
Regular site involvement focused on build quality and key junctions
Coordination of testing and quality assurance, with certification support where appropriate
Want to understand what is possible for your home?
We offer two ways to help you decide on the best way forward, depending on where you are in the process and what you need clarity on.
A Retrofit Strategy focuses on comfort and energy performance. It helps define the right scope and sequence for upgrading an existing home, so improvements work together and avoid unintended problems.
A Home Visit Appraisal looks more broadly at your project. It considers constraints, opportunities, and likely costs, helping you understand feasibility and make informed decisions before committing to a particular direction.