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Blog / Carbon Zero Homes

Navigating Architecture towards Net Zero

Image of Mill Hill House in North London, designed with Passivhaus Principles

At RISE Design Studio, we’ve always championed a sustainable approach, especially in recent years when the climate crisis is more pressing than ever. As someone who’s seen the tide change and observed the inertia in adoption, let me take you through the essence of creating low-energy, …

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Balancing Comfort and Efficiency: Understanding the Cooling Potential of MVHR Systems and Beyond

Balancing Comfort and Efficiency: Understanding the Cooling Potential of MVHR Systems and Beyond

Over the years, I’ve had many clients ask me about Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems and their capacity for cooling. This summer, we have received a great number of enquiries about MVHR systems and whether they can be adapted to offer additional cooling. MVHR sy …

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Housing Retrofit and the Quest for Airtightness: An Architect’s Guide

Housing Retrofit and the Quest for Airtightness: An Architect’s Guide

What is airtightness? Here, I aim to give you a deeper understanding of what airtightness is, combining theory with the practicalities we’ve encountered working on the many low-energy retrofit and new build projects we’ve completed. Proclima Intello tape uses for airtightness on this …

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Unravelling the Heat Pump Enigma: Debunking Misconceptions and Illuminating the Facts

image of Herbert Paradise rear and dormer extension project in Kensal Rise, North West London, includes a Heat Pump as well as other low carbon solutions

As we work alongside the UK’s net-zero carbon mission, one technology has emerged as instrumental – the heat pump. Yet, misconceptions surround it, impeding its adoption. In this guide, we’ll address and debunk 20 prevailing myths.

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Shaping Tomorrow’s Buildings: Towards Carbon-Positive Architecture

image of McKelvey Farm House, an example of carbon positive design

We have been involved in exploring the new frontiers of low-energy and low-embodied carbon designs for many years. Today, I’m excited to share the crucial role architects, like us, have in fighting the biggest challenge of our age – the climate crisis. Chapter 1: The Imperative of Car …

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Building an Eco Home: Designing for Sustainability, Comfort and Beauty

Mill Hill House, designed following Passivhaus Design principles.

Each project we work on teaches us that crafting an energy-efficient, beautiful home, requires an intricate dance of various elements, each resonating with its unique rhythm. At RISE Design Studio, our main focus is woven around the harmonious union of contemporary design, low energy …

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The Powerhouse Standard – Pioneering Eco Architecture

Kjørbo, nestled along Sandvika's enchanting seafront, graces Bærum municipality near Oslo, Norway. These two refurbished structures, dating back to 1980, span roughly 2,600 square meters each. Their collective energy consumption amounts to a staggering 250 kWh per square meter every year.

Throughout my career, my focus has been on creating low-energy and low-embodied carbon designs that contribute to a sustainable future. However, there is one project that stands out among the rest – the Powerhouse initiative.

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Reimagining Architecture for a Sustainable Future: An Architect’s Perspective on the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge

Image of a contemporary rear extension in Queen's Park, NW London

With the climate crisis at the forefront of global challenges, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has set forth an important initiative, the 2030 Climate Challenge. Below we delve into this and share the nuances of the initiative and its implications for the architectura …

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Hampstead Architects

hampstead-architects

Nestled just above London’s hustle and bustle, Hampstead’s blend of the old and new, rural and urban, has provided a rich canvas for our team’s passion: designing low energy, low embodied carbon structures that are as sustainable as they are breathtaking. Let’s delve into this unique …

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Designing for a Sustainable Future with Sustainable Architects

designing-for-a-sustainable-future-with-sustainable-architects

Our small, design-led architecture studio has been driven by a passion for contemporary design, with an unwavering focus on energy efficiency and low embodied carbon. This post is intended to give you an insight into our principles, our ethos, and our approach to eco-friendly, sustain …

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