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Journal

Reviving the Victorian Grandeur: A Comprehensive Guide to Sustainable Extensions and Modern Interiors

A row of typical Victorian terrace houses in Queen's Park, North West London

London, with its enduring heritage and centuries of history, stands as a testament to the architectural excellence of past epochs. It boasts an extensive range of architectural styles, but perhaps none as iconic or as deeply woven into the city’s fabric as Victorian architecture. Wand …

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Dezeen Awards 2023 longlist

Aerial photo of The Lexi Cinema & Hub, which has been longlisted for the Dezeen Awards 2023

We are delighted to be included in the Dezeen Awards 2023 longlist! Dezeen is one of the world’s most respected architecture and design platforms.

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Why Choose RISE Design Studio as Your Sustainable Architect in London

Image of Bethany from RISE Design Studio discussing a project in Kensal Rise, NW London

London is a city that has always had to negotiate between what it inherits and what it builds next. That tension is part of what makes it interesting to work in. It's also what makes the question of sustainable architecture here more complex, and more important, than it might be elsew …

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Understanding the RIBA Plan of Work 2020: A Simplified Guide

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Just like many professionals in the UK, architects value clear guidelines to help them do their job better. The RIBA Plan of Work 2020, from the Royal Institute of British Architects, is an essential guide for the UK building sector. Created in 1963, it has been updated over time, wit …

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Which Architect Should I Choose?

Image of the Kitchen and Dining Room of Queen's Park House in NW London by architects RISE Design Studio

Choosing an architect is one of those decisions that people often underestimate until they're in the middle of a project and realise how much it matters. The wrong choice creates friction at every stage. The right one makes a genuinely complex process feel manageable, and sometimes ev …

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Navigating Architecture towards Net Zero

Image of Mill Hill House a new build house in North London, designed with Passivhaus Principles

The UK introduced the Climate Change Act in 2008, committing to a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050. By 2019 the government was declaring a climate emergency. The gap between those two moments tells you something about the difference between setting t …

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Redefining Sustainable Architecture: The Pioneering EnerPHit Standard

Redefining Sustainable Architecture: The Pioneering EnerPHit Standard

Given the pressing need for low-energy and low-embodied carbon designs, the industry has seen a growing emphasis on standards like Passivhaus for new builds. But what about the vast number of existing buildings that do not meet these criteria? Enter EnerPHit.

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MVHR and Cooling: What the System Can and Can't Do

Balancing Comfort and Efficiency: Understanding the Cooling Potential of MVHR Systems and Beyond

Every summer, without fail, we get a wave of enquiries asking some version of the same question: can my MVHR system cool the house? It's a reasonable thing to ask, particularly after a hot July. The honest answer is: partly, in the right conditions, but probably not as much as you're …

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Housing Retrofit and the Pursuit of Airtightness

Housing Retrofit and the Quest for Airtightness: An Architect’s Guide

Airtightness is one of those topics that sounds technical until you understand what it actually means for the people living in a building. Then it becomes straightforward: an airtight building is comfortable, quiet, cheap to run, and healthy to be in. An airtight building is also cons …

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Unravelling the Heat Pump Enigma: Debunking Misconceptions and Illuminating the Facts

ASHP installed to the side of a rear extension project in London

As we work alongside the UK’s net-zero carbon mission, one technology has emerged as instrumental – the heat pump. Yet, misconceptions surround it, impeding its adoption. In this guide, we’ll address and debunk 20 prevailing myths.

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