When we think about a comfortable home, we often picture a warm space in winter, fresh air in summer, and a peaceful environment. But what if our homes could actively improve our wellbeing?

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest designated to preserve their unique character and appearance. In the UK, there are over 10,000 conservation areas, ranging from village centres to historic urban districts. If your project falls within one of these areas, it's essential to understand the knock-on effects it may have on planning and design.

One approach we advocate to help our clients prioritise sustainability and energy efficiency is fabric-first design. Fabric-first can be used in tandem with other sustainable construction methods to help achieve Passivhaus certification. But how will a fabric-first design help you meet the rigorous standards while delivering long-term benefits for occupants and the environment?

The Passivhaus standard is often held as the gold standard for energy efficiency. But how does it compare to the baseline requirements of Building Regulations? For clients, developers, and architects, understanding the differences can highlight the benefits of taking a Passivhaus approach in building design.

Buildings should do more than provide shelter; they should offer comfort, prioritise health, and encourage well-being. When it comes to designing buildings that excel in all these areas, Passivhaus principles are the gold standard. But how exactly does Passivhaus design improve comfort?

Converting a Class Q building or agricultural barn into a residential property is an exciting opportunity for adaptative reuse. However, careful planning and design are required to ensure compliance with regulations and to create a comfortable, sustainable home.

What is the Passivhaus Standard, and how does it work towards achieving higher standards of energy efficiency and sustainability?

As of May 21, 2024, significant changes have been introduced to Class Q guidelines regarding converting agricultural buildings into dwellings without the need for planning permission. Will these changes affect your conversion?

Over the past few months, Arbor Architects have been busy getting out of the office and participating in events and conferences that align with our commitment to sustainable architecture, particularly in retrofitting, low-energy builds, and net-zero.

For the next stage of our Understanding Embodied Carbon series, we are taking a look into our RIBA award winning project, The Garden Room at Cwm Barn, and analysing what worked well, but also what lessons we have learnt for improving the embodied carbon impact of our future projects.