This house is a pioneer in sustainable urban living; a mid-terrace renovation that transforms an ordinary Victorian home into an eco-friendly marvel, slashing energy consumption by 75% while preserving its heritage charm. The innovative design seamlessly blends advanced energy-efficient technologies with thoughtful architectural elements, creating a harmonious balance between sustainability and style.
Client: Olly Jones + Anne-Claire Walch
Location: Kensal Rise, London NW10
Local Authority: Brent Council
Plot Type: Suburban
Project Type: Residential – Single Family Home
Internal Area (GIA): 268 sqm
Press: Arch Daily
In the heart of Kensal Rise, North West London, a pioneering mid-terrace house renovation is redefining sustainable urban living, showcasing how existing housing stock can be transformed to meet the challenges of climate change and modern lifestyles. This groundbreaking project achieves a remarkable 75% reduction in energy consumption, slashing annual usage from 38,500 kWh to just 9,500 kWh.
Located in a bustling metropolitan area, this RISE Design Studio project has metamorphosed an ordinary home into a beacon of eco-friendly design. The renovation seamlessly blends advanced energy-efficient strategies with thoughtful architectural elements, creating a harmonious balance between sustainability and style that respects the building's Victorian heritage while embracing contemporary needs.
Castle-like insulation inexorably binds the building to its eco-conscious future, forming a thermal envelope that dramatically reduces energy demands. The home's exterior is visually offset by a modern rear extension and a separate garden studio, contrasting with the original Victorian structure while enhancing functionality. Distinguishing elements include a striking round roof light in the master ensuite, an open-plan living area that flows effortlessly into the garden, and a cozy home office nestled at the end of the garden that offers a tranquil work environment just steps from the main house.
Alongside the high-performance insulation, a carefully curated material palette comprises locally sourced clay plaster for breathability and moisture regulation, Valchromat for durability and low VOC emissions in the kitchen and joinery, and micro cement and polished concrete for sustainability and style. Advanced systems like an Air Source Heat Pump for water and space heating, Solar Photovoltaic panels for renewable electricity generation, and a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system further enhance the home's environmental credentials and occupant comfort, contributing significantly to the 75% energy consumption reduction.
This deep retrofit demonstrates the exciting possibilities of modern sustainable architecture in urban environments, setting a new standard for eco-friendly renovations in metropolitan areas. By exceeding Building Regulations requirements for insulation in most cases by twofold, the project creates an energy-efficient and comfortable home that doesn't compromise on aesthetics or livability.
As cities worldwide grapple with housing shortages and the pressing need for climate action, the Herbert Paradise project offers a compelling blueprint for sustainable urban living. It stands as a testament to the potential of innovative design and unwavering commitment to sustainability in creating environmentally responsible homes that significantly enhance occupants' quality of life while drastically reducing energy consumption.
