Biophilic Architecture in London: A Low-Energy Retrofit Rooted in Nature
by Sean Hill on Nov 26, 2025
Biophilic architecture in London has never been more relevant. As families seek healthier homes, lower energy bills and deeper daily connection with nature, retrofit becomes a powerful tool for transformation. Twelve Arches embodies this shift.
RISE in Print: A West London Architect’s Perspective in Domus Nova’s Autumn Edition
by Sean Hill on Nov 26, 2025
Our feature in Domus Nova’s Autumn Edition Some moments arrive quietly yet carry weight. Our inclusion in Domus Nova’s Autumn Edition is one of them. As a West London architect working at the intersection of sustainability and design, being invited into this publication feels like a r …
Corten House, Kensal Rise
by Sean Hill on Nov 21, 2025
A Low-Energy Retrofit for Modern Living in Kensal Rise Some houses whisper their limitations the moment you step inside. Corten House was one of them. A classic Kensal Rise property with solid bones but a layout shaped for another era: tight rooms, minimal daylight, disconnected livin …
Cold Water, Clear Thinking → What a Dawn Swim in the Serpentine with Zoe Birch Taught Me About Passivhaus
by Sean Hill on Nov 21, 2025
There’s something quietly surreal about walking through Hyde Park before sunrise. The city hasn’t committed to the day yet. The air is cool, the light is grey-blue, and you get that first whisper of what am I doing? as you approach the Serpentine.
A Shift to Credibility: Why Net Zero Buildings Demand More From All of Us
by Sean Hill on Nov 21, 2025
There was a quiet honesty in the seminar I attended, led by the sustainability consultants Eight Versa, on the new UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. Behind the charts, targets and timelines was a simple call to action for our industry:
Building Wisely: What Self-Builders Really Pay For When They Hire An Architect
by Sean Hill on Nov 17, 2025
When you decide to extend, renovate or build a home from scratch, you are not just buying drawings. You are building a small company around your project.
Rethinking Summer: Why Overheating Homes Are London’s Quiet Crisis
by Imran Jahn on Nov 10, 2025
London’s climate is shifting faster than its buildings. The city traps heat like a vast stone valley, accumulating warmth long after the sun has set. What used to feel like the odd heatwave now lands as a yearly pattern, pushing homes into temperatures that disrupt sleep, health, and …
Brutalist Concrete Architecture and the Courage to Build for People
by Sean Hill on Nov 10, 2025
In every city, some buildings feel less like objects and more like invitations. They ask us to slow down, to look again, to question how we gather as communities. Brutalist concrete architecture, at its best, carries that kind of presence. It is unvarnished, honest, and built with a c …
A new tennis pavilion shaped around community, comfort and low-energy design
by Imran Jahn on Nov 10, 2025
Across the UK, tennis clubs are asking a pressing question: What should the next generation of clubhouse look like? Many clubs are working with ageing buildings, rising energy costs, and growing memberships. The need for a modern, sustainable tennis pavilion has never been clearer.
