By dissolving the traditional boundary between the "built" and the "natural," we focus on the environment's psychological impact. This recessed terrace, incorporated into our carefully considered project near Tenbury Wells, acts as a transitional "buffer zone", creating a sheltered external room that provides a sense of prospect and refuge.
From this vantage point, occupants can engage with the landscape and take in the views without feeling exposed or overstimulated. We focused on architecture that prioritises the nervous system, offering a calm, predictable space to connect with the outside.
#lowenergybuilding #worcestershirearchitects #newbuild #lifetimehome #sustainablearchitecture
From render ➡️ reality 😎
Designed by @arborarchitects and brought to life using the Broadaxe Timber Frames twin-wall system 🏡
It’s been amazing to watch the original concept become reality at the NSBRC over the last few weeks.
You can now walk around the house every Tuesday–Sunday 👋
Planning a self-build project? We’d be happy to meet you there and chat through your ideas.
#timberframe #selfbuild #architecture #nsbrc #offsiteconstruction #sustainablebuilding #rendervsreality
@nsbrc_official@idealcombiuk
Sometimes, the most compelling architecture is often from "unbuildable" sites.
Whether it's steep topography, narrow urban infill, or significant "Root Protection Areas" (RPAs), we view constraints as drivers of innovation. For instance, a steep slope allows for a split-level design that creates distinct thermal zones and unique internal vistas. We don't fight the site; we design into it.
We are now working with landowners who may have a site previously considered "tricky" and are open to exploring development potential.
If you have a plot you're curious about, we'd love to hear from you!
#landdevelopment #buildinghomes #selfbuild #residentialdevelopment #communitybuild
Context is everything. Designing for the rural landscape is a delicate balancing act. How do you introduce a high-performance, modern home into a setting defined by traditional agricultural history?
Our design process for agricultural settings begins with a deep dive into local materiality. Looking at how stone, timber, and metal have weathered in this specific microclimate for centuries. We then marry these "honest" materials with high-performance detailing, such as recessed glazing to minimise solar glare and hidden gutters to maintain clean, traditional rooflines. The result is a structure that looks as though it has always belonged to the fields, yet provides an internal environment of comfort and low-carbon performance.
#barnconversion #newhome #ruralarchitecture #westmidlandsarchitects #passivhaus #greenarchitecture
One of the first Passivhaus Low Energy certified homes designed by Elly is currently on the market with @themodernhouse !
If you’re looking for a comfortable, energy‑efficient home, built with natural materials and set in a stunning rural Herefordshire landscape, close to Hay‑on‑Wye, this one is well worth a look.
📸 @themodernhouse
#forsale #passivhausforsale #architecturaldesign #modernhouse #timbercladding
New photos just in of our Centre for Innovation and Future Skills, shared by @arborarchitects 👀
The walls are now plastered and it’s starting to feel like a real building.
We're getting closer... Watch this space!
#construction #engineering #partnerships #hereford
The NMITE Centre for Innovation and Future Skills is still progressing well on site. There's a lot happening both internally and externally now, and we’re getting excited about seeing the final spaces start to take shape.
Read our latest Journal entry to catch up on all the latest site updates...
#passivhausarchitects #architectshereford #sustainablebuildingpractice #nmite #timbeframe
From the drawing board to the build.
We are pleased to announce that the NMITE Keystone project has officially reached the tender stage. This is a significant milestone for a project that embodies the future of higher education and sustainable timber construction.
The Keystone project will create a living lab for the next generation of engineers. Our design focuses on celebrating timber as a primary structural material, creating a high-performance environment that inspires innovation.
We are looking forward to partnering with the right team to bring this vision to life on site! #buildingdesign #feasibility #nmiteuniversity #thoughtfuldesign #herefordcity
What does "low energy" actually feel like? Most people think of lower utility bills, but the real magic of a Passivhaus is the quality of life inside.
As Certified Passivhaus Designers, we design homes that maintain a constant, comfortable temperature year-round. Because of the mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems we specify, the air you breathe is filtered, fresh, and free from allergens or dampness.
There are no drafts by the windows. There are no cold spots in the corners. There is only a profound sense of "quiet comfort." When you build to the Passivhaus standard, you aren't just saving the planet; you’re investing in a healthier, more peaceful environment for your family to grow.
#siteupdates #buildingdesign #sitevisits #goodarchitecure #architect #nmiteuniversity #thoughtfuldesign #nmite #herefordcitybuilding #herefordcity
Big news! @growinglocalhereford Cook School have officially broken ground! 🌱
The wait is over - construction has started on our community cook school project! This scheme is all about empowering our local community through food and education, and we couldn't be happier to see the first foundations being laid.
A massive thank you to the client and the whole design team for the enormous effort involved in getting this @strongerhereford funded project through the planning and tender phases and making this a reality for Hereford.
The project is in safe hands with the expert teams at @aspire.building Contractors and Bespoke Construction Consultants leading the build. We can’t wait to follow the progress and see the developments!
Images from @aspire.building
#siteupdates #communitybuilding #herefordnews #cookschool #herefordshirearchitect
Myth: Sustainable homes have to look "earthy" or "alternative."
Fact: High-performance architecture is the new standard of luxury.
You don't have to sacrifice floor-to-ceiling glass or sleek, modern lines to be "green."
By using carbon-sequestering timber and advanced glazing, we create homes that use a fraction of the energy of a standard build while feeling twice as bright and twice as comfortable.
What’s your biggest question about building a sustainable home? Cost, planning, or the technology involved? Ask us anything below.
#sustainabledesign #planningpermission #lowenergydesign #carbonsequestering #newhomes
What’s the impact of Biophilic Design in education and community spaces?
Buildings shouldn’t just provide shelter; they should nurture the people inside them. When these spaces are designed through the lens of biophilia, they become powerful tools for both learning and community health. While the ‘feel-good’ factor of nature is intuitive, the data behind it is transformative.
In our latest blog, we looked at the measurable impact and concrete evidence from biophilic design in UK schools and community hubs.
From the University of Salford’s HEAD Project to the British Land Trust's research on integrating health and wellbeing into design and development , the data is clear: connecting with nature indoors isn’t a luxury, it’s a biological necessity.
Read the full Journal entry via the link in our bio.
#biophilicdesign #studentspaces #communitybuildings #timberbuildings #timberconstruction
