Designing for a Better Future

What sustainability means when it comes to your home

When you hear the word sustainable, you might think of solar panels or recycled materials. But in architecture, sustainability means something deeper: a home that treads lightly on the planet, supports your well-being, and lasts for generations to come.

At Studio CMA, we believe sustainability should feel effortless. It’s about creating beautiful homes that are comfortable, efficient, and resilient—without compromising on character or budget.

Contemporary two-storey home with clay shingle cladding, full-height glazing, and wildflower garden in foreground

What Makes a Home Sustainable?

Better insulation to reduce heat loss

  • Thoughtful ventilation for fresh air and healthy living

  • Durable materials that age well and can be repaired

  • Natural light and passive solar design to reduce energy use

  • Flexible spaces that adapt to your life over time

Sustainable design isn’t just good for the planet—it means lower bills, improved comfort, and a healthier indoor environment.

See how we approach sustainable renovation

Sustainable Design Standards in the UK

Passivhaus
A high-performance German standard focused on energy efficiency and comfort. Ideal for new builds or deep retrofits.

Read more about Passivhaus

EnerPHit
A Passivhaus standard adapted for existing homes. Allows flexibility where full compliance isn't practical.

Read more about EnerPHit

AECB Retrofit Standard
A simpler UK-based approach to low-energy design. Practical, cost-effective, and well-suited to many homes.

Read more about AECB Retrofit Standard

Light Retrofits – Small Changes, Big Impact

Sustainability doesn’t have to mean a full-scale renovation. Many homes benefit enormously from targeted, light retrofit upgrades. These smaller interventions can improve comfort, reduce bills, and extend the life of your home, without major disruption.

A light retrofit might include:

  • Replacing single glazing with high-performance timber sash windows

  • Adding internal wall insulation using breathable materials

  • Sealing air leaks around floors, lofts and junctions

  • Improving ventilation to reduce condensation and damp

  • Upgrading heating controls or hot water efficiency

These improvements are especially effective for older period homes where structural changes may be limited or where you want to retain the home’s existing layout and charm.

Light retrofits are a great first step—especially when planned as part of a longer-term strategy for deeper upgrades.

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If you’re unsure where to begin, our Retrofit Strategy helps you identify the low-hanging fruit—so you can make confident, cost-effective choices.

Read more about how a light retrofit could be the optimal solution for your home. 

How We Help

We work with homeowners at all stages—from light refurbishments to deep retrofits and new builds. Our job is to help you make confident decisions about:

  • Where your home is wasting energy

  • What improvements will make the biggest difference

  • Which materials, systems and strategies suit your goals

  • How to phase upgrades to match your budget and timeline

“You don’t need to know all the answers—just bring your questions. We’ll help you figure out the rest.”

Want to understand what’s possible for your home?

We offer a Retrofit Strategy or Home Visit Appraisal to help you make sense of your options—whether you’re ready to start or just exploring ideas.

Explore our full retrofit service

FAQs about Sustainable Homes

  • Focus on reducing heat loss with internal or external insulation, improve airtightness, and add ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). Breathable materials and sensitive upgrades help retain character.

  • Not at all. Standards like Passivhaus provide a benchmark, but we often take a tailored approach, drawing from the principles while adapting to your home, budget, and planning constraints.

  • Absolutely. We specialise in period property retrofits and use natural, breathable materials that work in harmony with traditional architecture.

  • In many cases, yes. Buyers are increasingly aware of energy performance. Well-designed, sustainable upgrades can reduce running costs, improve comfort, and boost long-term value.

  • Start with a chat. We’ll help you understand what’s possible and what will make the biggest difference. Book a call or explore our Retrofit Strategy service.