Video Interview with Aline, Talking to the Client
RDA Architects Director Richard Dudzicki, talks to his client Aline about working on Modernist EnerPHit

Our client, Aline, wanted her 1960's modernist house designed by Michael Blackstock to be restored, 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 achieve Passivhaus 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 Passivhaus standard provides a reduction in heating bills and is a pioneering retrofit approach in bringing the housing sector towards zero carbon emissions by 2050.


This is not a straightforward house or design. The house was in need of extensive repair works (including building fabric itself, addressing air leakages and damp), Instead of demolishing a historic award winning project, we breathed new life into the building using modern technology to extend its life span by another 100 years. This project with its EnerPHit value, corresponds to UN Sustainable development goals number 7 (Affordable and Clean energy),11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action). Within this framework, it is an encouraging example to its neighborhood and within the larger context of UK, for a more sustainable and energy efficient buildings.


By refurbishing an existing 60's property with a sustainable approach and designing to EnerPHit standards, the energy bill for this house is expected to be as low as £177.00 annually, thanks to its design.

Photo voltaic panels embedded within the roof by RDA Architects

This building is planned according to EnerPHit standards which is a Passivhaus standard intended for refurbishment projects. Using high performance products to achieve this standard included: triple glazed windows & doors and installing them with minimum thermal bridge values. Applying interior thermal insulation. Use of airtight materials. Use of Air Source Heat Pump as a renewable heating source. Use of PV panels and high-performance Tesla Batteries for storage. Use of Mixergy water cylinder for an efficient Domestic Hot Water System. Putting in a MVHR and new services that benefit the existing building and provide a high- quality air and ventilation.

Tesla Power Wall and Mitsubishi Air source heat pump used on Modernist EnerPHit by RDA Architects

To see more photos of the amazing work done on Aline's home, visit the page below:

More Photos
quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

‘The top room is my favourite, the mono pitched roof, all the high terraced glazing, the lovely balcony it joins on to. It’s the openness of it all and the original features like the quarry tiles and the wooden roof I love so much. I had my engagement party up here which was a highlight and look forward to hosting more in the future as the triple glazed windows mean no more noise complaints for my Neighbours.’


- Aline

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

‘The top room is my favourite, the mono pitched roof, all the high terraced glazing, the lovely balcony it joins on to. It’s the openness of it all and the original features like the quarry tiles and the wooden roof I love so much. I had my engagement party up here which was a highlight and look forward to hosting more in the future as the triple glazed windows mean no more noise complaints for my Neighbours.’


- Aline

Recent Blogs

Reflections from the Venice Biennale: Architecture and Dystopian Futures

By Richard Dudzicki • October 10, 2025
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.

How To Upgrade a Grade II Listed Home Without Compromising Its Heritage

By Richard Dudzicki • September 23, 2025
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.

How working with a qualified architect can save you stress, money and regret

By Richard Dudzicki • August 6, 2025
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.

Reflections from the Venice Biennale: Architecture and Dystopian Futures

By Richard Dudzicki • October 10, 2025
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.

How To Upgrade a Grade II Listed Home Without Compromising Its Heritage

By Richard Dudzicki • September 23, 2025
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.

How working with a qualified architect can save you stress, money and regret

By Richard Dudzicki • August 6, 2025
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.

Airtightness at home: How it can save you energy and money

By Richard Dudzicki • July 8, 2025
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