At RISE, we don’t just design buildings.
We design beginnings - to a slower life, a warmer space, a clearer purpose.
But somewhere along the way, “low-energy” became misunderstood.
Seen as a sacrifice. Compromise.
Cold toes in the winter. Expensive technology. Ugly panels.
A design language written in spreadsheets, not in joy.
Let’s set the record straight.
Here are ten untruths we hear far too often - and what we’ve learned from two decades of doing the work, building better, and helping clients live lighter.
A calm, low-energy home interior in London—featuring natural materials, filtered daylight, and crafted timber detailing that embodies quiet, sustainable living.
They’re not. They’re calm.**
Cold is draughty hallways and radiator roulette.
Low-energy homes feel… even. Quiet. Steady.
We designed a home last year that had no heating on through a London winter. Not because the client was toughing it out. But because they didn’t need it. It was 21 degrees inside, every day.
Insulated properly. Ventilated smartly. No tricks. Just care.
You can. But you won’t want to.**
It’s not about denying you fresh air - it’s about giving you better air.
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) means every room smells like a morning walk. No condensation. No stale air. No pollen.
The windows? Open them if you like. But you might forget to.
No. It’s for anyone who gives a damn.**
We’ve worked on 19th-century terraces, post-war semis, and Georgian townhouses.
Heritage doesn’t mean high bills.
You can retrofit beauty. Carefully. Respectfully. And make it better than it’s ever been.
A couple in Kensal Green came to us with a leaky end-of-terrace house. We rebuilt its bones. Airtight, breathable, wrapped in wood fibre and love. Now it’s a beacon. Not a burden.
Short-term thinking is much more costly.**
It’s true - going beyond Building Regs will cost you more upfront.
But we don’t design for next winter. We design for decades.
A house that needs little to heat. Little to maintain. One that will still feel good when your children are grown.
Payback? It’s not just in pounds.
It’s in peace of mind, resilience, autonomy.
It’s in not needing the system to work, because your house already does.
It’ll look like you.**
There’s no one style for low-energy living.
Our job is to listen, not dictate.
We’ve done timber frames and exposed brick. Zinc roofs and lime plaster.
Some homes are warm minimalism. Others, joyful chaos.
Performance doesn’t kill creativity.
It frees it.
You need good design. The rest is optional.**
You don’t need gadgets. You need decisions made with intention.
Face your windows the right way. Insulate the roof before the floor.
Seal the gaps. Let the house breathe through the right materials.
Tech can help — but it’s the cherry, not the cake.
It is made for the British climate.**
Here’s the truth: Britain is grey, damp, and increasingly unpredictable.
Low-energy homes thrive in this setting.
They hold warmth when it's bleak. They stay cool when it’s muggy.
It’s not continental. It’s adaptable. And that’s exactly what we need now.
You will - with the right approach.**
We’ve had our designs approved in conservation areas, beside listed buildings, and inside strict boroughs.
Why? Because we respect the context.
We speak fluent 'planner' and fluent 'visionary'.
We make the case for change - and for careful change.
Planners are increasingly aligned with low-energy goals. Let us lead the way.
It might just save it.**
When solar panels or insulation are installed without knowledge, yes - damage can happen.
But with the right people? A low-energy retrofit is gentle stewardship.
We assess structure, materials, and vapour flow. We design for weight, water, and wind.
And most importantly, we don’t guess. We model it first.
No. You just have to start.**
We’ve seen tiny interventions change lives.
A single room wrapped in natural insulation. A new airtight front door. One triple-glazed window swapped in for a rattly sash.
Small changes lead to big ripples.
One of our clients started with a new roof. A year later, they’d gone full solar, full retrofit. It began with a leak - and a question:
“What if we did this properly?”
The future of homebuilding isn’t flashy.
It’s thoughtful. Resourceful. Regenerative.
At RISE, we’re building homes that breathe, adapt, and give back - not just to the grid, but to the people who live in them.
If you’re ready to reimagine what home means - not as a shell, but as a system of belonging - we’d love to talk.
Because the best thing about low-energy homes?
They don’t take from the world.
They give more than they use.
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
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