SERVICES
Whether your project is a new build, refurbishment, extension, conversion, retrofit, or development, we will guide you through each step of the process. We have experience of designing most building types, including residential, educational, industrial, commercial, healthcare and work to historic buildings.
Outline Design through to Detailed Design – every design is unique. As our client, we will design to your requirements with the aim of achieving the best suited design for you.
Passivhaus Consultancy – as Certified Passivhaus Consultants, we offer Passive House consultancy to other professionals.
Disability Adaptions – we have extensive experience of the varying requirements for disabled and frail elderly, including dementia, and are happy to offer our input in designing for these specific needs.
Planning Applications – we have great experience of achieving Planning Permission for sites, including difficult sites in the LL&T National Park, Listed Buildings, and in the countryside.
Feasibility Studies – not sure if it’s possible or worthwhile? Our feasibility study can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. These can also be suitable for funding applications.
Project Management – ensure your project runs smoothly by using our project management throughout the whole design and construction process. Working closely with the client, coordinating the design team and other consultants, and frequent contact with the contractor allows us to maintain cost and quality control.
Listed Buildings Consent - if your building is listed, we can apply for Listed Buildings Consent. We have experience of working with listed buildings which can require careful conservation.
Carbon Neutral Design - as Passivhaus designers we are able to model your new home or your existing home to be carbon neutral. This means that both the construction of your house and heating it, via renewables and zero carbon heating systems, results in zero carbon emissions.
Building Warrant Submissions – we are fully conversant with the current Building Regulations throughout the UK and can obtain Building Warrant for your project.
Passivhaus Design - we have been Certified as European Passive House Designers enabling us to provide you with an extremely low energy design, including net zero carbon. Our first Passivhaus was Certified over ten years ago!
SAP Calculations & EPC Certificates – as Certified Domestic Energy Assessors, we can carry out design SAP calculations and provide Energy Performance Certificates.
Low Carbon Retrofit & Energy Audits – as Passivhaus designers we can carry out an energy audit of your existing home or business premises and design to reduce your carbon emissions and energy use by 60 - 80% and as a result, your energy bills too!
Using an Architect
A Chartered Architect only gains the title after a series of qualifications, practical experience and examination which helps to ensure a high degree of design quality and professionalism. As well as having been trained to a high level, architects are continually undergoing training to keep themselves aware of new developments and informed of current building practise and legislation.
If you want to ensure your project runs as smoothly as possible, it is advisable to use properly trained and qualified people to design and oversee it. In the long run, using an architect can save time, money and frustration by ensuring that the design is efficient and workable. From the first inspired idea of the building to the finest detail of interior fit out, a Chartered Architect has the skills to realise and fine-tune your project.
When choosing an architect, it is important to find someone that you trust and share a vision with.
As Chartered Architects, we are qualified to provide you with a professional service for your project.
From discussing your requirements, developing a brief with you, providing initial concepts for discussion, developing the design, applying for Planning Permission, obtaining Building Warrant, providing detailed drawings and specification, to looking after the project on site, we will work with you to provide the best opportunity for you to be delighted with your project. We hope we will exceed your expectations.
We are happy to discuss your project without any obligation. We also like to keep in regular touch with clients to ensure that everything is going smoothly and to keep them informed of the building process. Despite all the impressive qualifications, we like to think we are an approachable and friendly team!
Passive House Consultant
If you are an Architect or designer looking to prove your low energy design, we offer a development and feedback service relating to the Passivhaus Standard and can carry out Passive House compliance checks as your design develops.
Our Passive House consultancy service can provide the expertise you require for your projects. By consulting with us at concept stage, you can provide clients with the benefit of your input and design ability along with our knowledge of sustainable building and low energy design.
Designing to the Passivhaus standard requires a rethinking of traditional detailing and building components. Much of this is due to the designing out of thermal bridges and ensuring excellent air-tightness detailing.
We can carry out full detailing and specification of all components and can advise on the most suitable and cost effective materials, from windows and insulation through to an appropriate heat recovery ventilation system. Energy modelling of the design is carried out using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and provides an accurate predicted energy use which also allows feedback on changes to specification.
Even if the full Passivhaus standard is not required, using passivhaus priciples helps create an energy efficient solution. We can carry out an audit of your design details and advise on where improvements can be made.
With each project being unique and requiring a different degree of input, we are flexible when providing our Passive House Consultant service and can assist at your premises or remotely as required. Consulting with us will greatly increase your knowledge of the requirements of the Passivhaus standard. If required, this can involve a degree of training that can also include tuition in the use of the PHPP energy modelling software.
Considering renewables at concept stage is recommended as this allows complete integration of the renewable system into the design and ensures compatibility. Our Renewable Energy Engineer can assess the suitability of on-site renewables for your projects.
Please contact us if you think we could assist with your project. We have every confidence that you will find our consultation service provides an excellent route to achieving your low energy or Passive House design.
As well as Passive House Consulting, we also offer a full Passive House design service.
Energy Performance Certificates
As Certified Domestic Energy Assessors, we can provide as-built SAP calculations and provide Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) for new build dwellings.
Whatever your requirement, you can be certain that your project will be designed to be cost effective and environmentally sound.
Using cutting edge Building Information Modelling (BIM) software, we provide 3D models for you to explore (including Virtual Reality), along with the more traditional 2D output. Our BIM models allow us to accurately predict hour by hour energy use for our designs and we can examine every detail for thermal performance and optimise these accordingly. This technology coupled with our knowledge and experience, ensures you will know how your building will perform before turning the first sod.
We are Chartered Architects and offer the complete architectural service, including advising on the requirement for other design professionals, such as structural engineers and quantity surveyors. Once on site, we can oversee the contractor’s work to ensure the construction process goes smoothly and is in accordance with the design and specification. By controlling the financial accounts for your project, we help to make sure it doesn’t go over budget.