Converting a Class Q building or agricultural barn into a residential property is an exciting opportunity for adaptative reuse. However, careful planning and design are required to ensure compliance with regulations and to create a comfortable, sustainable home.

What is the Passivhaus Standard, and how does it work towards achieving higher standards of energy efficiency and sustainability?

As of May 21, 2024, significant changes have been introduced to Class Q guidelines regarding converting agricultural buildings into dwellings without the need for planning permission. Will these changes affect your conversion?

Over the past few months, Arbor Architects have been busy getting out of the office and participating in events and conferences that align with our commitment to sustainable architecture, particularly in retrofitting, low-energy builds, and net-zero.

For the next stage of our Understanding Embodied Carbon series, we are taking a look into our RIBA award winning project, The Garden Room at Cwm Barn, and analysing what worked well, but also what lessons we have learnt for improving the embodied carbon impact of our future projects.

The Southside will be more than a building; it's a visionary attempt to foster unity, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging among people from different walks of life.

Timber cladding is a beautiful and sustainable way to finish a building’s exterior, offering both aesthetic appeal and protection. However, the longevity of timber cladding depends not only on the type of wood used but also on critical factors such as detailing, location, and exposure. Good design and installation practices ensure that timber cladding can stand up to the elements, especially during the harsher winter months.

The need for solutions in building design and retrofit projects is paramount while we are targeting the UK's zero carbon goals, as more than 20% of current British housing was built pre-1919 (read more about retrofitting buildings here) and will need modifying in some format.

Continuing our series on understanding embodied carbon, this case study examines our recently completed project, The Tin Barn, located in the picturesque village of Marshfield.

We have recently secured planning permission for an innovative reconfiguration of a previously approved scheme for 15 new, low-energy flats at Oldbury Court in Bristol. The site, which is currently a brownfield area, has been reimagined to meet more stringent energy efficiency targets and to achieve design excellence in community-focused living.