Homeowners in urban areas like London seek ways to make their homes eco-friendly. The age and historical significance of old houses in London present challenges in making them more sustainable. There is an increasing recognition of the advantages of utilizing natural and sustainable construction materials, even with the abundance of energy-efficient modern options. Natural materials provide environmental benefits, aesthetic appeal, and durability and promote a healthier living environment. But with so many options available, how can homeowners navigate the world of sustainable building materia ..read more

Do we need an architect, or can a builder do it alone? When starting a building project, whether it's a new build or a renovation, homeowners sometimes ask if the services of an architect are needed during construction.  During this stage, the stakes are high. A poorly run project can jeopardise any project's three fundamental success metrics: the timeframe, budget, and build quality.  Before making such a significant decision, homeowners should ask themselves if they have the time, knowledge, and resources to manage the process successfully and to work confidently with the contracto ..read more

The Importance Of Asking The Right Questions: A Comprehensive List For Interviewing An Architect Hiring the right architect is a crucial part of any successful project. Whether you're planning a new dream home or a renovation project, finding the perfect architect can make all the difference. But how do you ensure you're making the right choice? How can you avoid disaster and ensure peace of mind? Asking the right questions during the interview process is critical. Building projects require careful planning, attention to detail, and effective communication between the client and the architect ..read more

Making your Home Sustainable and Energy Efficient Are you concerned about the environmental impact of your home? Do you want to install an air source heat pump?  Do you want to know more about what it involves?  If so, this article is for you. The Benefits Of Air Source Heat Pump Installation In Your Home Retrofitting your London home to install an air source heat pump (ASHP) can play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions. ASHPs work by extracting heat from the outdoor air, even in cold temperatures, and transferring it into your home for heating purposes. They work like a fridg ..read more

Making your Home Sustainable and Energy Efficient Are you concerned about the environmental impact of your home? Do you want to install an air source heat pump?  Do you want to know more about what installing an ASHP involves?  If so, this article is for you. The Benefits Of Air Source Heat Pump Installation In Your Home Retrofitting your London home to install an air source heat pump (ASHP) can play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions. ASHPs work by extracting heat from the outdoor air, even in cold temperatures, and transferring it into your home for heating purposes. They w ..read more

Kent House An Architect’s Guide on the Economics of Building Green As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, the construction industry faces growing pressure to adopt sustainable building practices. This pressure is particularly acute in London, one of the most densely populated cities in the world. With millions of residents and countless businesses occupying its urban landscape, London is a city that demands innovative solutions to its energy needs. One such solution is Passivhaus construction. What is Passivhaus? Passivhaus is ..read more

Commissioning an architect to design your home is one of the most exciting steps of any building project. However, most homeowners have little experience with a building project, and most have never hired an architect. You may be asking: How do architects typically charge for their services? What services are included in the architect’s fee? Are there additional costs or expenses that I should be aware of? How should I discuss fees or approach a negotiation? To assist homeowners at the start of their project, we have written this guide to answer your questions and help you make the m ..read more

How long is the timeframe for a home alteration or extension in London? Undertaking a home extension in London can be an exciting endeavour, but one of the biggest questions on your mind is likely how long the process will take. The timeline for domestic projects can vary depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the project, statutory permissions, and availability of materials and labour.  The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work provides a useful framework. For domestic projects, we find it useful to group these into the three key stages of Planning, T ..read more

The timeframe for a sustainable home retrofit in London can vary depending on several factors, such as the size and complexity of the project, the availability of materials and contractors, and the level of customisation required. Generally, a home retrofit can take a few weeks to several months to complete. For example, a simple retrofit project such as upgrading insulation or replacing windows may take a few weeks. A more extensive retrofit project involving significant structural changes, new external or internal insulation, or new energy-efficient heating and ventilation systems may take s ..read more

What is retrofit? Any improvement to an existing building aimed at improving its energy efficiency, making it easier to heat, able to retain heat for longer, and replacing fossil fuels with renewables is a retrofit.   Why retrofit?  A major challenge that the UK faces in its quest for net-zero energy is retrofitting our homes and buildings. As a nation we need to make retrofitting a priority to bring our existing buildings up to current standards. This will help to reduce our carbon emissions so that we stand a chance of reaching our target of net-zero by 2050. One of the main issues ..read more