Sustainable Architects in Devon
We’re an award winning chartered architecture practice that specialise in eco-friendly and sustainable design. We design beautiful, practical and fun places to live and work in Deven and beyond. Striving to deliver responsive solutions to the residents of Devon that have a minimal impact on the environment.
We specialise in low carbon, eco home designs that are light on the planet and light on your pocket. As an RIBA registered practice, we offer the full architectural service from feasibility to on-site supervision and completion of your project. We will listen to your requirements and provide appropriate solutions. Our team is passionate about providing great architecture that will lift your spirits as well as be fully functional.
Architects in Devon
As an RIBA chartered practice, Eco Design Consultants can provide full architecture services from conception to completion over a variety of sectors within Devon.
Whether you need a bit of additional space at home or are developing a whole site, we can help you through the process to achieve quality buildings that put the environment at the centre of design.
- Feasibility and Planning
- Sustainable Interior Design
- Working Drawings and Building Regulation Applications
- Full construction detailing
- Project Management
- Airtightness Detailing and Strategy
- Extensions and Renovations
- On-site Support
- Supporting Developers
- Interior Design
- Garden Design
Strategies & Assessments
As environmental consultants, we are certified European Passivhaus Designers and energy specialists. We have worked with a number of developers, individuals and housing associations within Devon to help them develop strategies to reduce fuel and carbon usage.
- Passivhaus Design, calculation & support
- PHPP
- Renewable Energy Feasibility
- Thermal bridging analysis & Psi values
- Environmental & Energy Strategy Statements for planning
- Bespoke Environmental Standards for Housing Associations
- Home Energy Surveys
- Retrofit / Renovation strategies
- Support for other Architects
- Whole House Plans
Training and Presentations
Eco design consultants have built up an in-depth knowledge of low energy housing and Passivhaus, and have spoken at conferences, Universities and Architectural practices. Spreading the knowledge is important to us, and we offer a range of services.
- Conference Presentations
- Seminars
- In-house Training
- Toolbox Talks/Training
- Project Support
Local planning Documents for Devon
Local Planning Documents for Devon are developed by the county’s district and unitary councils to shape the future growth and sustainability of the region. Each district, including Exeter, East Devon, and South Hams, has its own Local Plan that sets out policies to guide development and planning applications.
Neighbourhood Plans across Devon supplement the Local Plans, allowing local communities to have greater input into future development. These plans outline specific visions for areas such as Totnes, Sidmouth, and Barnstaple, ensuring that new developments align with community needs and aspirations.
Additionally, some areas have Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), such as the Exeter City Living Design Guide SPD and the South Hams Plymouth and West Devon SPD. These provide additional detail on local character, environmental considerations, and specific site guidance.
All three types of documents are used by planning authorities when assessing applications, so anyone submitting a planning application must ensure compliance with all relevant planning policies.
Devon’s Unique Planning Considerations
Devon’s Unique Planning Considerations Devon’s landscape presents distinct planning challenges and opportunities. It is home to two National Parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor, as well as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), such as the South Devon and Blackdown Hills AONBs. Any development within or near these areas must consider landscape impact assessments and environmental protections.
The county is also rich in heritage, featuring historic market towns, listed buildings, and coastal settlements with conservation status. Developments affecting heritage assets may require additional heritage impact assessments to ensure the preservation of Devon’s historic character.
Coastal and flood risk management is a key consideration for planning applications in Devon. With an extensive coastline and estuaries, new developments must adhere to flood risk assessments and sustainable drainage requirements to mitigate climate-related risks.
Biodiversity is a priority, as Devon is home to a variety of protected species, including dormice, otters, and rare bat populations. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, ecological surveys may be required to assess potential impacts on habitats and species. These surveys must be conducted during specific times of the year when species are most active.
Devon County Council has also committed to environmental sustainability, with initiatives encouraging renewable energy integration, sustainable building practices, and carbon reduction. The Local Plans and SPDs promote energy-efficient designs, green infrastructure, and the protection of natural resources.
Given the diverse environmental and regulatory factors in Devon, early engagement with planning officers and specialists is advised to ensure that proposals align with policy requirements and facilitate a smooth application process.
Eco Design Completed Projects in Devon
Devon Eco Home
This exceptional house has undergone a remarkable transformation, with the original bungalow being demolished and replaced by a beautifully designed home. A high-quality, characterful home that harmonises beautifully with the local streetscape, featuring carefully considered form, scale, and materials.
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Working Drawings in Devon
A Fully Integrated Sustainable Working Drawing Package
I am sure you would agree that successful detailing of projects is vital for the project’s success, this is especially important for highly sustainable developments. We can provide you with a service that combines our many years of Architectural design and detailing with environmental assessment to provide an integrated service that will:
- Be reliable, accurate and cost-effective
- Achieve high levels of airtightness
- Achieve good ‘U’ values
- Benefit from experience of Passivhaus detailing & design
- Reduce cold bridging
- Minimise renewable technologies & fully integrate where appropriate
- Ensure appropriate selection of sustainable materials
Working Drawings
Cold Bridge Elimination
As part of our working drawing package we offer 2D computer analysis of details utilising software to highlight cold bridging weak points, enabling corrections to be made. This process also provides Ψ (psi) values enabling better results in both PHPP (Passivhaus planning package) and SAP (standard assessment procedure).
It will also ensure that your project:
- Saves money at construction
- Reduces unnecessary materials
- Reduces the risk of condensation
- Ensures buildability
- Improves your SAP / PHPP ratings
- Saves money, CO2 and fuel bills
- Increases comfort for the owner / tenant
Did you know that on highly efficient buildings, poorly designed joints between elements can double the heat loss of a building?
We can solve this through computer analysis and careful detailing.
“We found eco design consultants work on the cold bridging invaluable, they were able to reduce the cold bridging considerably on our refurbishment project. It did not make the details any thicker and on one of the details they improved the efficiency of the house by 15% just by changing detailing and material specification.”
Gil Schalom, Gil Schalom Design
Supporting Developers
Airtightness Strategies in Devon
Airtightness is a vital element of a building, especially when constructing to the Passivhaus standard because excessive air leakage can lead to more energy being consumed and a draughty/leaky building. Therefore the need to eliminate areas of air leakage is extremely important. Less leaky buildings also offer more comfort to the user.
Airtightness Strategy Report
We can prepare an airtightness strategy report that can be used at on-site induction by the design and construction team which will include an introduction on the importance of airtightness. The report will be presented in a practical manner and will also include pictures, diagrams and references to further information and product details such as airtightness tapes. If desired, we can also run a practical workshop to show contractors how to install the airtightness tape.
We can provide detailed drawings to aid with building airtightness. These details will cover areas where airtightness is particularly key and show how they should be made airtight. Key areas may include: (this list is not exhaustive)
- Windows
- Doors
- Junction between the ground floor and wall
- First floor junction
- Service penetrations
- Loft hatch
- Roof & eaves
Supporting Developers
Energy Strategies in Devon
All buildings are different and vary depending on location, orientation, occupancy, use, heating systems and appliances. Therefore energy strategies to reduce energy usage will also vary. We can help individual homeowners, developers, housing associations, designers and architects with energy reduction solutions to meet the demands and constraints of their development.
For Individual Homeowners
Whether you are looking to build your own home, refurbish your existing home or just want to reduce your energy bills, we can help you find an appropriate solution. We have experience of reducing a home’s total CO2 emissions by over 80% and we can assist you in reducing your home’s carbon footprint and future fuel bills, offering you fuel security in the future. We will produce a written report looking at the potential of different scenarios such as thickness and location of insulation, changes to the internal layout, renewables and MVHR. The report will then allow you to make an informed decision, and show potential combinations to reach targets such as Passivhaus, or AECB building standard.
Energy Strategies
For Developers, Housing Associations, Designers and Architects
Many local authorities and some clients now require energy and carbon dioxide to be reduced using Low or Zero Carbon Technologies (LZCs). We can assist you in selecting a suitable solution and provide appropriate reports as required. Our reports will look at the potential advantages and disadvantages of renewable technologies in relation to the particular development and consider the budget, long term maintenance costs and effectiveness of each technology over a 60 year period. At the same time, we will ensure full integration and that the design is not compromised.
Our full range of energy strategy services:-
- New Build and Retrofit Strategy Reports
- Independent help in choosing the appropriate renewable energy for your project
- Low or Zero Carbon Energy assessment and options appraisal
- Energy strategies for GLA and Local Authorities’ requirements
- Sustainability statements for planning
Working with Developers & Contractors across Devon
As the benefits of low carbon, energy efficient homes are becoming increasingly understood demand for Passivhaus buildings is increasingly making the financial argument more and more compelling. If you would like support to achieve the gold standard in energy efficient design or improving the thermal performance of existing stock we can help.
All large planning schemes require a sustainability and energy statement, we can assist you in providing this. We can develop strategies that not only meet local authorities’ requirements but can provide marketing advantages, as green, sustainable, energy efficient and healthy homes. Why not consider the AECB Standard. Combine our environmental input with our Architectural service, and you have a joined up package.
Support we offer:
- Architectural Design & Detailing
- Passivhaus Design & PHPP Calculation
- AECB certification
- Environmental Strategies
- Low and Zero Carbon Technology Feasibility Reports
- Daylighting Calculations
- Environmental Statements for Planning
- Home User Guides
- Toolbox Talks
Sustainable Interiors in Devon
Each business is unique, with its own philosophy, operating model and team. Just as unique is the building that the company occupies depending on location, orientation, occupancy and use. Eco Design Consultants believe that sustainable interior design strategies should be equally unique. Each of our strategies are based on Passivhaus principles and biophilic design, to deliver solutions to individual businesses requirements.
Our office designs utilise our Architectural and environmental skills to deliver a layout which optimises comfort, productivity, satisfaction and a sense of wellbeing.
We will listen and discuss your business plan so that your design will enhance your objectives and improve the bottom line. The business case for green offices is well established with staff being the most valuable resource in most organisations. Investment in a thermally comfortable environment with natural light and low VOC materials reduces absenteeism, increases retention and boosts productivity. This is on top of the benefits associated with reduced fuel costs and the green pound.
