Richard Dudzicki Talks About Designing Modernist EnerPHit

Modernist EnerPHit: The Story Behind the Project

Passive House architect Richard Dudzicki explains how he restored this 1960s modernist house designed by Michael Blackstock, combining the original design aesthetic with a contemporary approach. The three-storey property was designed in the ‘upside-down’ style common in the 1960s, with an open plan living space and terrace sitting above the bedrooms on the first floor and ground floor parking and utility area.


To improve the energy efficiency of the house and achieve EnerPHit standard we have introduced highly efficient insulation; new windows and doors have also been fitted to improve airtightness – reducing heat loss and therefore providing a high level of comfort throughout the house. Implementing the EnerPHit standard provides a reduction of up to 83% in heating bills and is a pioneering retrofit approach in bringing the housing sector towards zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Recent Blogs

NLA Coffee conversation: What are the opportunities for housing on constrained sites?

By Richard Dudzicki • March 10, 2026
On 25 March, Richard will be speaking at NLA’s Coffee Conversation about how London’s most constrained and overlooked sites can play a role in addressing both the housing crisis and the climate emergency. Across the city, small and fragmented plots are often dismissed as too difficult to develop. Backland sites, former garages and leftover spaces within established neighbourhoods are frequently overlooked by conventional development models. Yet collectively they represent a significant and largely untapped opportunity.

Passivhaus Trust - The Old Timberyard: Deep Retrofit, Honest Lessons, Lasting Performance

By Richard Dudzicki • March 3, 2026
There is a particular responsibility that comes with working on an existing building. The Old Timberyard , a former Victorian workshop, offered the opportunity to demonstrate how careful retrofit can honour heritage whilst delivering genuine long-term performance. Behind its retained brickwork and historic fabric sits a carefully executed EnerPHit upgrade. This was not about surface improvements, but a rigorous, fabric-first transformation, reworking a cold, underperforming structure into a comfortable, resilient and low-energy building fit for contemporary use.

Technical Briefing: Passive House Retrofit and Reuse Webinar

By Richard Dudzicki • March 3, 2026
Three weeks ago, Heather Faulding and I had the pleasure of presenting at the NLA’s technical briefing on Retrofit and Reuse a CPD-certified webinar on low-energy & high-performance buildings. It was a fantastic session spotlighting some of the most innovative retrofit work. Heather shared her incredible project for Daily Paper in New York: a powerful example of creative reuse, transforming a crumbling structure using over 7,500 soda cans crafted by local communities. The shimmering façade reflected not only light but the heritage of African beadwork a story of culture and circularity woven into architecture.

NLA Coffee conversation: What are the opportunities for housing on constrained sites?

By Richard Dudzicki • March 10, 2026
On 25 March, Richard will be speaking at NLA’s Coffee Conversation about how London’s most constrained and overlooked sites can play a role in addressing both the housing crisis and the climate emergency. Across the city, small and fragmented plots are often dismissed as too difficult to develop. Backland sites, former garages and leftover spaces within established neighbourhoods are frequently overlooked by conventional development models. Yet collectively they represent a significant and largely untapped opportunity.

Passivhaus Trust - The Old Timberyard: Deep Retrofit, Honest Lessons, Lasting Performance

By Richard Dudzicki • March 3, 2026
There is a particular responsibility that comes with working on an existing building. The Old Timberyard , a former Victorian workshop, offered the opportunity to demonstrate how careful retrofit can honour heritage whilst delivering genuine long-term performance. Behind its retained brickwork and historic fabric sits a carefully executed EnerPHit upgrade. This was not about surface improvements, but a rigorous, fabric-first transformation, reworking a cold, underperforming structure into a comfortable, resilient and low-energy building fit for contemporary use.

Technical Briefing: Passive House Retrofit and Reuse Webinar

By Richard Dudzicki • March 3, 2026
Three weeks ago, Heather Faulding and I had the pleasure of presenting at the NLA’s technical briefing on Retrofit and Reuse a CPD-certified webinar on low-energy & high-performance buildings. It was a fantastic session spotlighting some of the most innovative retrofit work. Heather shared her incredible project for Daily Paper in New York: a powerful example of creative reuse, transforming a crumbling structure using over 7,500 soda cans crafted by local communities. The shimmering façade reflected not only light but the heritage of African beadwork a story of culture and circularity woven into architecture.

What To Do Before Approaching An Architect: Project Planning Pack Explained

By Richard Dudzicki • February 13, 2026
We’re excited to share our refined Project Planning Pack, designed to support anyone preparing to embark on a design or building project. Planning ahead is one of the most important steps in ensuring a successful project . This clear, easy-to-follow resource helps you reduce risk , improve your design outcomes, and gain a better understanding of costs and the architect’s role in the process. It also introduces core design principles and provides tools to assess where you’re at before you begin, giving you confidence in every decision. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner, an experienced developer, or simply exploring ideas for a renovation or new build, this pack is an essential companion for your project journey. What’s included: • A structured framework to plan and organise your project • Guidance on core design principles • Insights into costs and the architect’s role • Tools to assess your project readiness We’ve refined this pack to be practical, user-friendly, and aligned with real-world architectural practice. Our goal is to give you clarity, reduce uncertainty, and make the design process as smooth as possible . Access the full Project Planning Pack here: