Technical Briefing: Passive House Retrofit and Reuse Webinar

CPD-certified webinar exploring EnerPHit retrofits, featuring case studies in sustainable design from RDA Architects and Hamptons Architects

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.

I spoke about the Modernist EnerPHit, our deep retrofit of a draughty 1960s home into a warm, efficient, and future-proof family house. This project wasn’t just about reducing energy use, it was about transforming an underperforming building into a space that feels modern, spacious, and comfortable all year round.

We explored several key strategies that helped us achieve this:

· Airtightness & MVHR systems – We dramatically reduced heat loss by improving the building's airtightness, while the mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system ensured a constant supply of fresh air without the energy penalty of traditional ventilation.

· Triple glazing and insulation strategies – Upgrading to triple-glazed windows and wrapping the building in high-performance insulation significantly improved thermal performance, helping the home retain warmth in winter and stay cool in summer.

· Space-maximising interventions – By reconfiguring internal layouts and making considered extensions, we increased the usable space without increasing the building's footprint unnecessarily, proof that good design can make a home feel larger and brighter without resorting to oversized additions.

· Solar roof tiles instead of panels – To maintain the clean lines of the modernist roofscape, we used integrated solar roof tiles rather than surface-mounted panels. This delivered renewable energy while preserving the architectural integrity of the design.

· Challenges and design processes – As with any EnerPHit-level retrofit, we encountered complex coordination challenges, from working with existing structures to achieving Passivhaus-level airtightness. I shared insights into our design thinking, decision-making, and the collaborative process that helped us navigate these hurdles.

This is more than just fabric-first design—it's a roadmap for climate-conscious living that doesn’t compromise on comfort or character. Every detail, from the orientation of glazing to the integration of renewables, was considered through the lens of both performance and aesthetics. It's about creating homes that are future-proof, resilient, and enjoyable to live in. The result is a building that feels good to inhabit and does good for the planet.

Read more about the Modernist EnerPhit project at https://lnkd.in/gEavrfvs

The webinar also marked the beginning of our 4+ Design and Architecture collaboration a new venture bringing together practices across London, New York, and LA: RDA Architects Ltd , F2 Architecture PLLC and Kurt Krueger Architects. From Passivhaus retrofits to adaptive reuse, we’re building a cross-continental dialogue around sustainability, reuse, regenerative and luxurious design.

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