Architecture for London Creates Passive Homes Without Compromising Aesthetics

“We used to have to convince clients of our approach,” says Architecture for London director Ben Ridley. “Now they request it from day one.”

One recent client is a case in point. Having found themselves the new owners of a dilapidated five-story Georgian townhouse in east London after a successful bid at auction, a couple sought out an architect who could transform it into a low energy place to live. They turned to Architecture for London.

The 2,120-square-foot house had an outwardly impressive shell but a challenging interior that had been split into bedsits. According to Ridley, “The major challenge was integrating low-energy refurbishment within a listed building in a conservation area, aiming for a fossil fuel-free, warm, and comfortable family home.”

The building’s protected status meant that the design team needed to minimize major structural alterations or extensions, an approach that also helped reduce the project’s embodied energy. As many of the building’s original materials were preserved as possible, including external stone paving and internal timber floor finishes throughout.

The major interventions saw the introduction of internal wall and roof insulation and improved glazing to stop heat escaping. A combination of clay and lime plaster finishes were used throughout to improve airtightness further, while also creating a palette of natural tones. Finally, a mechanical heat recovery system was installed to provide heat recovery and keep fresh filtered air in the property.