Progress in Practice | Passivhaus Designers and Architects

Join People Powered Retrofit and Progress in Practice's Hannah Dixon as we learn more about the importance of retrofit assessments. This webinar forms part of the Feel the Benefit Home Assessment Services Hub (), supporting households to better access assessment options for improving building performance, comfort, and energy efficiency. Hannah is a chartered Architect and Certified Passivhaus Designer, specialising in sustainable, low carbon construction and community engagement. This session will explore the principles of Passivhaus design and approaches to retrofit, with a focus on improving the performance of existing buildings. Hannah will share insights from her work in practice, including examples of retrofit projects and key considerations when delivering low carbon, energy-efficient buildings. @peopleretrofit Greater Manchester Combined Authority @passivhaustrust @the_aecb

The sun is shining and we have just learned that Progress in Practice has been shortlisted for *three* Unlock Net Zero Awards! What a lovely way to start a Friday and a Bank Holiday Weekend! 😁 We're absolutely chuffed to be finalists in the following categories: - New Build Development of the Year - Copper Beech #Passivhaus Plus with @baileyprojectsltd - Retrofit Project of the Year - Park Haus #EnerPHit with @myzsagroup - Organisation of the Year - Progress in Practice The shortlist is full of amazing organisations and projects, so we are thrilled to have been included with such good company. That includes our friend Sara from @phi.architects2026 who has been shortlisted on the Climate Champion Power List - amazing news! And our regular collaborators @zepassiv who are also up for organisation of the year - congrats! Good luck to everyone shortlisted! @baileyprojectsltd @myzsagroup @unlocknetzero zero @passivhaustrust @the_aecb

This week marks the end of an era at Progress in Practice, as we say goodbye to Stephen Fisher on his last day with the practice. Stephen is moving on to an exciting new role, taking on fresh and very different challenges while continuing his deep commitment to low-energy design. Stephen was the very first person to join Hannah, before Progress in Practice was even fully formed, and his contribution to shaping the practice has been invaluable. We will always be grateful for the energy and dedication he has brought to the team. 💚 This photo captures Stephen’s delight watching the timber frame for his first #Passivhaus project coming together 💚 We’re excited to see where Stephen’s next chapter takes him and will be cheering him on with pride as he continues to grow and thrive.

Last week saw our first site visit to our latest #EnerPHit project, which has just started on site. Julie caught up with the team at @stoichomesuk and was very happy with the energy and positivity on site (look at those smiling faces). This compact bungalow is being transformed into a super-low energy, super-accessible home for our lovely client to enjoy in peace and comfort. The target space heating demand represents a massive 90% reduction on the original building. This is a small home with big ambitions! #Passivhaus #EnerPHit #Retrofit @passivhaustrust @the_aecb

Thank you so much to everyone who has applied for the position of Architect at Progress in Practice so far. We will be reviewing applications at the end of the week, so for anyone who is interested and hasn't yet applied, now is the time to get in touch! For more info visit - /news/job-architect In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful spring sunshine. @the_aecb @passivhaustrust

We are very excited to be starting the search for a new team member! If you are an Architect with a passion for sustainability and a desire to work with nice people, on nice projects, please take a look. /news/job-architect

Feel the Benefit - Home Assessment Services Hub launched! Yesterday, Andy Burnham launched the ‘Feel the Benefit’ Retrofit Portal at the #GreenSummit. If you are looking to make your home warmer and more energy efficient, this is the place to look. It is a one-stop-shop for tailored practical advice, with a range of options that can be fit to you and your situation. The services include the GM Retrofit Consortium's new retrofit assessment service hub, which aims to provide options for independent, personalised advice for a wide range of different homes, budgets and people. Here you can get advice on your home's existing condition and potential upgrades, allowing your to make improvements to your comfort and bills, no matter what the budget or priority. Spread the word and if you’re a Greater Manchester resident interested in progressing your retrofit project, visit the hub now: / The GM Retrofit Consortium is Snugg, People Powered Retrofit, Manchester Care and Repair, B4Box and Progress in Practice Ltd. @peopleretrofit @manchestercareandrepair Greater Manchester Combined Authority

We can’t believe it’s been three weeks since Guy Martin’s House Without Bills aired! We were delighted to see Park Haus — our client’s #Passivhaus #EnerPHit retrofit — featured and for so many valuable lessons to be shared. The programme focused on eliminating energy bills, and for some homeowners that is indeed the goal. Achieving this requires a robust methodology, such as the #Passivhaus standard. For others, the aim is different: a more comfortable home that’s easier to heat, with a clear pathway towards a low-carbon heating system in the future. Whichever goal you’re working towards, the foundation is the same — quality construction and meticulous attention to detail. This ensures your insulation performs as intended and helps you avoid unintended risks. For anyone planning to improve their home’s energy performance, we recommend the following steps: 1. Find an independent Retrofit Designer* Choose someone you trust and feel comfortable working with. (Retrofit Designers may be architects or retrofit specialists — try looking for someone who talks to you about your space heating demand and not your EPC rating. Most importantly, they should be independent, with no products to sell.) 2. Retrofit Assessment The scope will depend on the scale of works you’re considering and your available budget. For whole-house retrofits this should include a comprehensive condition survey. 3. Consider Energy Modelling PHPP modelling can be a powerful design tool when deciding where and how to invest your budget most effectively. We recommend it where it will genuinely support informed decision-making. If you’re aiming for #Passivhaus, #EnerPHit, or the #AECB CarbonLite standards, PHPP modelling is essential to quantify energy savings for certification. 4. Retrofit Strategy or Plan This should set out a clear route to your end goal. It might be a high-level phased plan with a step-by-step approach, or a more detailed roadmap if you’re ready to progress the full project. Either way, it should demonstrate how the elements of your retrofit work together and guide you towards the right first steps. Build @myzsagroup Photos @alexdormonphotography @passivhaustrust

This evening at 9pm 'Guy Martin's House Without Bills' will be aired on @channel4 , bringing the concepts of #Passivhaus #EnerPHit #Retrofit to the mainstream and providing an easily digestible introduction to low energy design. Park Haus features as a thread throughout the show, providing some insight into the connection between quality of construction and energy demand. Guy experiences first hand what it takes to build to these standards, with the guidance of @myzsagroup and many more. We hope you enjoy the programme and that for some it piques their interest in low energy retrofits. If you would like to know more, please get in touch, or try these trusted and valuable resources... @passivhaustrust @the_aecb @nationalretrofithub Photography by @alexdormonphotography

Thank you so much @ribajournal for sharing the story of Park Haus 💚 - soon to be featured on @channel4 4 's 'Guy Martin's House Without Bills' /buildings/practice-in-progress-house-without-bills-passivhaus-retrofit-manchester/ It is so great to have deep #retrofit and #passivhaus construction form part of the mainstream dialogue on retrofit. It is a challenge which should focus, not only on decarbonisation, but creating really high quality homes. Here Hannah has written about some of the challenges in transforming our housing stock into comfortable, energy-efficient and accessible homes. #passivhaus #retrofit Photography by @alexdormonphotography

Grab your tickets for our next in person event on Wednesday 25th February at 4pm. Professor Richard Hull from the University of Lancashire will be talking about the fire toxicity of construction products. We are really looking forward to his technical presentation which focuses on material composition and fire conditions influence the toxicity of the smoke for a range of construction products. There will be drinks and nibbles to start and the opportunity to ask questions to our speaker after. Followed by a trip to the pub for people who make it that far. See you there! /e/aecb-gm-fire-toxicity-of-construction-products-tickets-1980397603543

We are delighted to share that Park Haus, our client's #Passivhaus #EnerPHit project, is going to feature on the telly with none other than Guy Martin! The new channel 4 show, airing on 9th Feb, documents the journey of this build from it's humble beginnings as a 1930s semi-detached home, through its transition into a super low energy #retrofit home. Read more with... 💚 Our latest blog - /news/park-haus-featured-on-channel-4-with-guy-martin 💚 The Passivhaus Trust's Case Study - .uk/news/detail/?nId=1507 💚 Park Haus page of our website - /parkhaus We're really grateful to the programme makers for choosing to shine the spotlight on 'Retrofit', a subject not considered by many to be a terribly glamorous (we don't understand why either). The programme takes subjects that can be quite technical and challenging to get your head around and gives it an easily digestible and engaging narrative. Tune in at 9pm on 9th February 2026 on @channel4 @myzsagroup_ @ecohomewindowsdoors @passivhaustrust @the_aecb @aecb_greatermanchester