Share this
by Sean Hill on Feb 13, 2025
2025 feels like a turning point.
The world around us is shifting - fast. Energy prices keep climbing, the planet keeps warming, and more of us are asking different questions about how we live.
It’s no longer just “What’s the value of my house?” but rather “How can my home keep me warm in winter, cool in summer, and healthy all year round?”
The way we design homes needs to catch up with the times. A home can be more than walls and a roof - it can be a place that nurtures, protects, and stands strong, no matter what’s going on in the world outside.
Energy Security: Time to Take Control
Let’s be honest - recent years have been a wake-up call.
Between the war in Ukraine, rising energy prices, and the effects of climate change, we’ve learned that relying on old energy systems isn’t working. It’s risky. Expensive. Unpredictable.
But here’s the good news: we don’t have to rely on them.
Homes today can generate their own energy. With solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps, they can reduce their demand on fossil fuels. Good insulation and airtight construction can keep warmth in during winter and heat out during summer.
And all of this doesn’t just protect the environment - it protects you. It keeps your energy bills down and gives you a more stable, comfortable home.
The question isn’t whether we can afford to make our homes more efficient. It’s whether we can afford not to.
A Shift in Mindset: Homes Built for Living
For a long time, homes were seen as financial assets - things to flip, upgrade, and sell. But that mindset is shifting.
Now, we’re seeing more people focus on how their homes feel. How they support family life. How they help us breathe better, live better, be better.
People are asking different questions when they renovate or build:
- How can I bring fresh air into my home, every single day?
- How can I make it warm, quiet, and comfortable in every room?
- How can my home help me feel safe, secure, and at ease?
The answers lie in thoughtful design and smart solutions. Ventilation systems that deliver fresh air year-round. High-performance windows and thermal insulation that wrap the house in warmth. Renewable energy that powers everything without a single drop of fossil fuel.
These things aren’t just for luxury homes. They should be for every home. Because comfort and wellbeing aren’t extras - they’re the foundation for a good life.
Waiting for Policy? Don’t Hold Your Breath
2025 should have been the year of bold government action - something to match the growing demand for sustainable homes. But the reality has fallen short.
Yes, there are grants and schemes, but they’re often complicated, limited, or just hard to access. There’s still a long way to go before these policies help everyone.
So, while we wait for the government to catch up, it’s up to us. Architects. Builders. Homeowners. We’re the ones driving change. One project at a time.
At RISE Design Studio, that’s exactly what we’re doing - helping people create homes that are lighter on the planet but heavy on comfort, beauty, and practicality.
Building a Better Future, One Home at a Time
This year will be a big one for how we think about homes.
It’s not just about complying with new regulations or putting solar panels on the roof. It’s about reimagining what a home can be. It’s about creating spaces that feel good, do good, and are ready for whatever lies ahead.
If you’re building a home, renovating one, or just thinking about making a change, start with the basics: comfort, health, and resilience. Build for the life you want, not just the market.
Because the homes we build today will shape how we live tomorrow.
Let’s build them right.
If you would like to talk through your project with the team, please do get in touch at architects@risedesignstudio.co.uk or give us a call on 020 3947 5886
RISE Design Studio Architects company reg no: 08129708 VAT no: GB158316403 © RISE Design Studio. Trading since 2011.
