In 2019 Phineas Harper co-curated the Oslo Architecture Triennale on the architecture of a truly sustainable economy. Here they select some examples of environmentally conscious design including ambitious carbon-saving refurbishments you can visit during the 2023 Open House Festival.
A low energy refurbishment of an Edwardian house, with rear extension and loft conversion. Wood fibre insulation, MVHR, airtightness layer, triple glazing, timber structure and low embodied energy materials.
Architecture for London, 2020
A unique striking playscape and adobe home structure that integrates outside learning with innovative earth forms. Construction is 'rammed' earth made from earth filled tubes. Adobe construction is recognised for sound reducing properties.
Small Earth, 2011
The redevelopment of a former furniture warehouse in Hackney. Using CLT and glulam, the existing building has been extended to include a new building over the yard as well as a new office space on the top floor of the main building.
Ian Chalk Architects, 2021
This house is a deep low carbon retrofit to classic late twentieth century terrace house typology by the owner architect. Alongside energy demand reduction to EnerPHit criteria and comfort improvement, the house interior has been remodelled
Prewett Bizley Architects, 2021
A tour round the estate, with visits to residents' homes, information on the original design principles, tenancy types & history plus an opportunity to appreciate the setting with the River Lea bordering the estate. Approx 90 mins.
Jack Lambert for the Greater London Council , 1978
Tours of Gap House Just 8ft wide to the street, this house is ingeniously slotted into an unpromising plot to create a comfortable, low energy, family home that makes a virtue of its constrained site.
Pitman Tozer Architects, 2007
A new exposed CLT-frame house, built on a site once occupied by market garden greenhouses, featuring a planted façade with sliding external screens and a riad-style central atrium, assisting in natural daylighting, ventilation and cooling.
Hayhurst and Co., 2021
A redevelopment of Holborn’s community centre improving and increasing facilities - the space has been designed by Stirling prize nominated 6a architects and includes a public artwork for the building, created by artist Cargh Thuring. This project is supported by the Mayor of London.
6a Architects, 2021
A walk from Barbican Underground Station via the Museum of London to Barbican and then to Golden Lane.
Chamberlin Powell & Bon, 1957
Newly refurbished former social club, which is now a multi-use community space in the heart of Satge 3 Thamesmead - The Moorings Open Access and Tours running all day
Stephen Mooring , 1976
An adventure in retrofit possibilities: starting with a wreck & a passionate client, we explored, researched and innovated to reduce the energy consumption by 90-95% using the lowest carbon solutions we could find.
Enbee Architecture + Design and Ahrberg Jackson Design, 2023
Our Yard at Clitterhouse Farm is a community enterprise working to protect historic Victorian farm outbuildings and transform the site into a vibrant and sustainable community hub. Shortlisted for the Open City Stewardship Awards 2021.
OfCA, Freddie Wiltshire, Billy Adams, 2020
Amongst the RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist 2022 sits Mæ Architect's Sands End Arts & Community scheme in Fulham. The centre consists of a single-storey building comprising bright, airy and flexible event spaces and a community café.
Mae Architects, 2020
Schindel studio is a shingle clad, purpose built, sustainable artist's studio in Leytonstone, East London, for the landscape painter Amelia Humber.
Archer + Braun, 2022