Part I: Reflections from the Venice Biennale – Architecture and Dystopian Futures In September, RDA Director Richard attended the Venice Biennale as part of the AMI (Architects Marketing Institute) Mastermind group, led by Richard Petrie and joined by architects from the UK, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Venice itself, grappling with its own environmental precarity, provided a fitting stage for architectural contemplation. The city heightens awareness: light skips across the water, vaporettos weave through the canals, and conversations spill from pavilions into narrow alleys. It’s a place where architecture feels inseparable from life and culture. This year’s Biennale carried a distinctly dystopian tone. Many exhibitions directly tackled the climate crisis, social instability, and the legacy of colonialism, compelling architects to rethink their roles in shaping the future. Walking the Giardini and Arsenale, Richard noted a striking tension between urgency and care. Projects addressing social transformation and environmental scarcity stood side-by-side with work celebrating patience, craft, and the value of repair. Several national pavilions left a lasting impression. The British Pavilion’s candid exploration of empire and colonisation challenged visitors to consider justice within the built environment. The Spanish Pavilion offered a poetic and emotional counterbalance.

Upgrading a listed home is one of the most rewarding yet challenging projects a homeowner can undertake. Unlike Standard properties, every change must respect strict planning regulations whilst protecting the historic character that makes the building unique. Choices that may seem simple in modern homes such as changing windows, adding insulation, or altering layouts can become complex negotiations between performance, aesthetics and compliance. The key to success lies in working with conservation architects, skilled craftspeople, and heritage professionals who understand both the technical and regulatory landscape. With their guidance, upgrades can be achieved in ways that not only preserve but often enhance the building's long-term performance and beauty. When done right, a listed home can be both energy-efficient and historically authentic, ready to thrive for future generations.

Thinking about renovating your home? Don’t do it alone. We will be explaining how working with an architect rather than just a construction team alone can help you save potential future costs to your project. A big renovation can be exciting, but overwhelming. Costs can spiral, timelines shift and without the right advice, costly mistakes can sneak in. This is where we come in. What is a RIBA Chartered Architect? At RDA Architects, we are RIBA Chartered Architects. RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) is the UK's professional body for architects, setting the gold standard for architectural practice. This means when you work with RDA, you're partnering with professionals who have proven their expertise and commitment to maintaining the highest standards in architecture. But more importantly, we help homeowners like you get the most out of your budget and avoid the kind of problems that can turn a dream project into a nightmare. As shown in the diagram below, RDA (the architect) plays a central role in your project, acting as the hub for information exchange and coordination between the client, design team, and contractor team. We work closely with the specialists, engineers, and contractors to develop and communicate the design, ensuring your vision is realised efficiently and within budget, while helping you avoid the common pitfalls that can derail a project.

Imagine your home as a high-quality flask. When sealed properly, it keeps your drink at the perfect temperature for hours. Airtightness in buildings works similarly: it's about creating a continuous, sealed envelope around your home that prevents unwanted air from leaking in or out. Think of all the tiny gaps around windows, doors, or where pipes enter your house. These seemingly insignificant spaces can add up to the equivalent of leaving a window open all year round. In today's world of rising energy costs, where the average London home loses £400-£500 annually through air leakage alone, airtightness has become increasingly crucial. At RDA Architects, with over 25 years of experience in sustainable home design, we've seen how proper airtightness transforms living spaces, offering benefits that go far beyond energy savings: Enhanced temperature control: No more cold spots or drafts Significantly reduced noise pollution from outside Better air quality through controlled ventilation Protection against moisture issues and mould Reduced dust and allergen infiltration Lower heating and cooling costs (typically 70-90% reduction) Passive Mews II: A Modern Marvel of Efficiency

Behind the Scenes: RDA x Sana Open Studio Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of opening our studio doors for a collaborative event with Sana Tabassum- architect, educator, and founder of :scale, a platform that champions emerging voices in architecture. The evening brought together students, graduates, and early-career designers for an inspiring session of portfolio reviews, career chats, and honest conversations about what it really means to navigate the world of architecture today. The studio was alive with creative energy as attendees engaged in one-on-one critiques, informal Q&As, and discussions that ranged from practical job hunting tips to big-picture reflections on the future of design. Sana shared her expertise on building a personal brand, curating meaningful portfolios, and using digital platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to grow your reach and professional network. What stood out most was the sense of community, an affirmation that spaces like these, where emerging architects can share, reflect, and ask questions, are more essential than ever. 

RDA Architects is proud to be participating in the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2025, with a specially curated event designed to spark dialogue around sustainable design and future-facing housing. As part of this year’s festival, we are hosting “Conversations on Sustainable Living: A Guided Walk Through East Dulwich,” offering the public a rare chance to explore the principles of Passivhaus architecture in real-world residential settings. You can now book your free place via Eventbrite: Conversations on Sustainable Living – Guided Walk Through East Dulwich About the London Festival of Architecture 2025 The London Festival of Architecture is Europe’s largest annual festival of architecture, with hundreds of events that bring together architects, communities, and the public. The 2025 theme, “Voices,” asks how we listen, who gets heard, and how design can empower underrepresented perspectives—whether social, cultural, environmental, or spatial. This theme is especially resonant for us at RDA Architects, where we believe sustainable design isn’t just about energy efficiency—it’s about creating spaces that reflect and respond to the needs of the people who live in them. Explore the full festival programme: London Festival of Architecture 202

Finding the Right Path for Your Project At RDA Architects, we understand that no two projects are the same—each client brings a unique vision, set of priorities, and practical considerations. One of the most important early decisions in delivering a successful project is selecting the right procurement route. Whether you're building from scratch, transforming an existing home, or undertaking a detailed retrofit, the procurement method you choose will shape everything from cost and timelines to quality and creative control. Here’s a breakdown of the three most common approaches, along with our perspective on which may work best for your project.