Sustainable Architects in Oxford
We’re an award winning chartered architecture practice that specialise in eco-friendly or sustainable design. We design beautiful, practical and fun places to live and work in Oxford. We strive to deliver responsive solutions for the residents of Oxford which have a minimal impact on the environment.
We are passionate about providing great architecture. Good architecture will lift your spirits as well as be fully functional. 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 aim to provide appropriate solutions.
Architectural Services
As an RIBA chartered practice, Eco Design Consultants can provide full architectural services from conception to completion over a variety of sectors within Oxford.
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
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 Oxford 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 Oxford
The Oxford Local Plan 2036 was adopted in June 2020. It’s a set of documents which shapes the city future with the aim of supporting people and the environment. The documents set out the policies which all planning applications are judged against.
Local Neighbourhood plans supplement the Oxford local plan 2036. These plans are used to further guide future developments and manage changes alongside the plan. These plans help communicate a vision for a specific area. Summertown and St Margret’s Neighbourhood area plan is an example.
Some areas of Oxford also have supplementary planning documents (SPD), Oxford West End and Osney Mead for example. An SPD will add more detail to the Oxford Local Plan and typical consider character appraisals.
All three types of documents will be used by the planning department when assessing applications, therefore anyone submitting a planning application must consider all relevant documentation plan.
Oxford’s Unique Planning Considerations
Though compact Oxford is densely developed bounded by rivers and green belt. It houses unique and world-renowned heritage buildings. Green corridors are created by historic parks and nature conservation areas, some with national or internation conservation designations. The proximity of the site to these special areas will dictate the additional information that will need to be supplied. For example, if you are in the cartilage of listed building a heritage statement will be required.
The green corridors can bring increased wildlife, fauna and fora to your site. This can necessitate a survey to assess what is present, which will inform the need for additional assessments. Ecological surveys often need to be undertaken within specific windows when species are active and are only valid for a limited time. Therefore, to avoid delays it is critical to assess requirements and ensure that surveys are scheduled early in the project.
Oxford has 13 of the UK native bat species. The combination of green spaces, wooded areas and old buildings provides excellent habitats. Bats are protected by the wildlife and countryside act 1981. So, it’s illegal to injure, kill, capture or transport a bat. It’s also illegal to disturb a roost or group of bats. If there is a reasonable possibility that the project could be distributed a survey will be required. Disruption can be caused directly though building works or habitat removal or indirectly though lighting. However, the presence of bats does not preclude building work. Presenting a sensitive design which mitigates the risk of harm with the planning application is vital in these cases.
Oxford City council signed the climate emergency declaration in January 2019 and are committed to reducing the city’s emissions. You can read more about oxford to zero here. Passivhaus is one of the suggested routes for the councils new build homes.
Eco Design Projects Completed in Oxford
Kinver Passivhaus in Oxford
Kinver Passivhaus has been re-designed to meet the client’s desire for a comfortable, environmentally sustainable home, that is future proofed in terms of both climate change and rising energy costs.
The renovation plans have been meticulously detailed to enable the Victorian mid-terrace to achieve full Passivhaus. It is important to the clients that the house remains in-keeping with its neighbours, so selection of materials has be sensitive to their visual impact in addition to thermal performance.
The project has also been featured on the ‘House Planning Help’ podcast – listen here for the clients plans for the renovation and here for some reflections on how the project went and what it’s like to live in.
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Oxford EnerPHit Plus
Our client’s primary priority was to achieve a comfortable, zero carbon home. He took an ordinary 1930’s Oxford, semi and turned it into a durable, resilient home which can adapt to climate changes going forward. Certification to the EnerPHit Plus standard, just one of eight worldwide, is a reflection to the dedication and attention to detail of everyone involved in this project.
The EnerPHit Plus certification reflects the homes high performance levels achieved through extremely efficient insulation, windows and doors; removing cold-bridges; actively managing ventilation, to stop drafts; and, great details. The home now produces more energy than it uses. The attention to details and working with the client to achieve his original brief means that the house is now a comfortable home fit for another 100 years.
Oxford Passivhaus Retrofit
This beautiful 1920s home has been meticulously transformed to meet Passivhaus standards, with certification pending.
Our clients aimed to enhance their home’s thermal efficiency, reduce its environmental footprint, and create a more comfortable living space. Because of a roof leak demanding immediate attention, we developed a whole house plan. This ensured the home could quickly be made watertight, while also minimizing future reworking when the full renovation was finalized.
This project beautifully blends sustainability with thoughtful design, offering a glimpse into the future of eco-friendly living.
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Working Drawings in Oxford
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
- Benefit from experience of designing CSH 5* homes
- 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 Oxford
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 Oxford
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 Oxford
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 Oxford
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.
