Low Energy House by Architecture for London is a refurbished Edwardian terrace in Muswell Hill that’s been completely transformed into a comfortable, calming and healthy home.
Low Energy House aims to exemplify the sustainable refurbishment of a typical terraced home in London, with a constrained budget. In an era where we are more resourceful and more conscious than ever before, it’s crucial that we explore how the architectural and interior design world can address the importance of energy consumption and functionality for the future of our homes.
- Energy requirements are reduced dramatically by insulating, triple-glazing and improving airtightness.
- Masonry nib walls were retained on the ground floor to avoid energy-intensive steel box frames.
- Natural materials including stone, timber and lime plaster were used throughout rather than cement-based products.
- An MVHR system provides pre-heated fresh air, creating a warm and comfortable home.
- The system also filters the incoming air, removing pollen, diesel particulates and NOx to create a healthy indoor environment.
- The rear extension was built in highly insulated 172mm SIPS and all existing building elements achieved a Passivhaus standard U-value of 0.15 or better.
- An MVHR system provides pre-heated fresh air, creating a warm and comfortable home. The system also filters the incoming air, removing pollen, diesel particulates and NOx to create a healthy indoor environment.
Additional design features of Low Energy House include timber structure, triple glazing, a continuous airtight layer and insulation to the entire building envelope. Walls were insulated externally at the side and rear, and internally at the front with wood fibre. Insulating the property internally at the front has allowed the original Edwardian door to be preserved, an ode to the timeless features of the building.
About The Studio
The aim of Architecture For London is to improve people’s lives by reimagining the places in which we live and work. The studio is a collaborative team of architects and landscape/interior designers.
The group of creatives work at all scales, from furniture to bespoke private homes and commercial developments. They are a RIBA Chartered Practice based in London.
Environmental impact is a key consideration in their projects. The studio takes a research-based, fabric-first approach to sustainability that carefully considers the embodied energy of materials and the performance of the buildings in use.
Director and architect Ben Ridley is a Passivhaus designer.
Photography: Lorenzo Zandri and Christian Brailey
