Sustainable design

Creating low-carbon architecture for Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and beyond.

True sustainable architecture is more than a checklist of technologies — it is a mindset. At Gresford Architects, sustainability is woven into every design decision, from how a building is orientated on its site to the source of its materials. Across Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, the Chilterns, London and the wider South East, we design low-carbon, eco-friendly buildings that are resilient, uplifting, and enduring.

As a RIBA Chartered Practice, members of the Passivhaus Trust, and accredited with the Green Register, we bring authority and experience to every sustainable project. From award-winning PassivHaus homes to sensitive heritage retrofits, our mission is simple: create architecture that serves people, place and planet for generations.

What is sustainable design?

Sustainable design is the art of creating buildings that minimise environmental impact across their entire lifecycle while maximising comfort, health, and adaptability. It considers not only energy use but also:

  • Embodied carbon — the energy and emissions locked into materials and construction.
  • Lifecycle analysis (LCA) — assessing performance from construction through use and eventual reuse.
  • Circular economy principles — designing for repair, reuse, and eventual deconstruction.
  • Biodiversity net gain — enhancing landscapes as well as buildings.

For us, sustainable design goes beyond certificates and ratings. It is about buildings that actively improve their context — using less, giving more, and standing ready for the decades ahead.

Our approach to sustainable architecture

Passive design first

We maximise natural daylight, warmth and ventilation through careful orientation, thermal mass and window placement. By reducing reliance on mechanical systems, we cut energy use at its source.

Material integrity

We select vapour-open, natural materials that are durable, low-carbon, and healthy to live with. From responsibly sourced timber to breathable insulations and recycled products, we value what can be reused, reimagined, or safely returned to the earth.

Integrated energy strategies

Where renewables bring long-term value, we specify solar PV, heat pumps, and MVHR systems — always as part of a fabric-first approach rather than bolt-on solutions.

Water and biodiversity

Rainwater harvesting, permeable landscaping, green roofs and habitat creation are integrated wherever possible. Gardens are designed as ecosystems — supporting pollinators, wildlife and ecological balance.

Future-proofing and flexibility

Buildings are designed to adapt to changing climates and lifestyles. We consider maintenance, adaptability and eventual reuse from the outset, ensuring every project is an asset, not a burden.

Collaboration and clarity

We work closely with clients, engineers, craftspeople and planning consultants, demystifying technical decisions and ensuring outcomes are transparent and measurable.

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Selected projects

Open-plan kitchen with black cabinetry, wooden ceiling and walls, and large sliding glass doors leading to a garden; architecture by Gresford Architects.
Open-plan kitchen with black cabinetry, wooden ceiling and walls, and large sliding glass doors leading to a garden; architecture by Gresford Architects.

Copeland Road — A contemporary home built to PassivHaus standards, achieving near-zero energy consumption through ultra-efficient insulation, airtight construction, and renewable energy generation.

A historic stone house with white-framed sash windows, a steep red-tiled roof, and a charming white porch, set against a clear blue sky. Architecture by Gresford Architects.
A historic stone house with white-framed sash windows, a steep red-tiled roof, and a charming white porch, set against a clear blue sky. Architecture by Gresford Architects.

Henwood Farmhouse — Grade 2 Listed Farmhouse, where our sensitive renovation took as its starting point adding internal insulation to the external walls, floors and roof, to significantly improve the overall thermal performance, and allowing the specification of an air source heat pump to provide for the key heating and hot water demand.

Modern red-tiled wooden-clad house with angular roofs behind a concrete boundary wall and a foreground herb garden. Architecture by Gresford Architects.
Modern red-tiled wooden-clad house with angular roofs behind a concrete boundary wall and a foreground herb garden. Architecture by Gresford Architects.

Cherry Lane — this existing '80's house had a new mass timber framed first floor extension, and then both the existing and new structures were wrapped with wood fibre insulation and a new external skin, along with triple glazed windows and a whole house ventilation system, with hot water and heating provided by an air source heat pump.

Let’s build a sustainable future together

Why choose Gresford Architects for sustainable design?

  • Leadership in environmental architecture — Our reputation is built on award-winning sustainable projects. The Deerings, a certified PassivHaus home, won a RIBA East Award and was shortlisted for further recognition.
  • Proven expertise and credentials — We are a RIBA Chartered Practice, members of the Passivhaus Trust and AECB, and accredited with the Green Register. Tom Gresford also served as a judge for the British Homes Awards, underlining his standing in sustainable design.
  • Holistic, bespoke thinking — Every scheme is approached from first principles. No generic solutions — only strategies that reflect the unique site, context and aspirations of our clients.
  • Heritage and innovation combined — With links to the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), we have expertise in balancing conservation with modern performance.
  • Client-focused delivery — From feasibility through to post-occupancy evaluation, we provide clarity, measurable outcomes, and architecture that gives back to wellbeing, community and landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sustainable design in architecture?

It is an approach that minimises environmental impact across a building’s lifecycle — from materials and construction to operation and reuse — while maximising health, comfort and adaptability.

How much does sustainable design cost?

Costs vary widely depending on scope and specification. While sustainable design often requires higher upfront investment, the lifecycle benefits — lower energy bills, durability, wellbeing, and asset value — make it cost-effective long term.

How does sustainable design improve wellbeing?

By prioritising daylight, air quality and thermal comfort, sustainable design creates healthier living and working environments. Features like MVHR ventilation, natural materials and ecological landscaping support human and environmental health alike.

What is the difference between PassivHaus and sustainable design?

PassivHaus is a specific, measurable standard focused on energy and comfort. Sustainable design is broader, incorporating energy, materials, water, biodiversity, carbon, and wellbeing. Many of our projects combine both.

Can historic buildings be sustainable?

Yes. Through breathable insulations, moisture modelling, and sensitive detailing, even listed buildings can be significantly improved while respecting heritage.

What are embodied carbon and lifecycle analysis (LCA)?

Embodied carbon is the energy and emissions “locked in” to materials and construction. Lifecycle analysis (LCA)assesses impact across a building’s lifespan, helping us design for circular economy principles.

Do you need planning permission for sustainable design projects?

Often yes. We work with planning consultants and local authorities to secure permissions, whether for new builds, retrofits or work on listed properties.

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