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Journal

Building Information Modelling: What It Is and Why It Matters

Architect working on 3D BIMx model on computer screen

BIM gets talked about a lot in architecture, often in ways that make it sound more complicated or more revolutionary than it actually is. So let's be straightforward about what it is, what it genuinely changes, and where its limitations lie.

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MVHR Heat Recovery Ventilation: What is it and how does it work?

Image showing ducting from MVHR unit to all rooms of the house at Herbert Paradise, Kensal Rise, NW London

As an architect with two decades of experience, I have witnessed the evolution of sustainable design principles and their integration into contemporary architecture. In recent years, the focus has shifted towards low energy consumption and low embodied carbon designs. One crucial elem …

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Do I Need an Architect for an Extension?

Architects can add value to your project

It's one of the most common questions we get asked, usually by people who are already fairly sure they want an extension but aren't certain whether an architect is the right way to get there. The honest answer is: it depends on what you're trying to achieve. Here's a clear-eyed look a …

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What is EnerPHit? Is it right for my home retrofit project?

Douglas House, Kensal Rise, North West London. Douglas House includes MVHR, high levels of insulation and airtightness

As energy efficiency becomes an increasingly important factor in home renovations, many homeowners are looking for ways to improve the performance of their existing properties. This is where EnerPHit, the gold standard for retrofitting, comes into play. Designed by the Passivhaus Inst …

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Structural Insulated Panels: Are SIPs Right for Your Project?

New build house in Sussex designed by RISE Design Studio using SIPs construction, with corten steel upper storey cladding, rammed earth base, full-height sliding glazing and planted garden terrace.

SIPs come up regularly in conversations with self-build clients and developers looking for an alternative to conventional timber frame or masonry construction. They have genuine advantages that are worth understanding clearly, and genuine limitations that are equally worth understandi …

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A Comprehensive Guide to Party Wall Agreements

Aerial View of Mill Hill House in North London, designed by Architects RISE Design Studio

After twenty years of designing homes that don’t just stand, but breathe - spaces that work with energy, not against it - I’ve come to realise that a project’s success isn’t just about aesthetics or sustainability. It’s also about the fine print, the behind-the-scenes details that onl …

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Brent Design Awards 2023 Winners

Sean and Imran, Directors at RISE, with Muhammed Butt Leader of Brent Council

We’re absolutely delighted that the Lexi Cinema extension and refurbishment has received two awards, the People’s Choice as well as the Heritage & Culture, at the first Brent Design Awards last Thursday.

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The Lexi Cinema & Hub wins 2 Brent Design Awards 2023

The Lexi Cinema & Hub has won two awards at the inaugural Brent Design Awards

Brent Design Awards

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The Triumph of Barefoot Social Architecture: A Tribute to Yasmeen Lari, Royal Gold Medal 2023 Laureate

Yasmeen Lari stands beside the women's centre she designed in Sindh province, elevated on stilts to withstand floods. This remarkable structure is crafted from bamboo, mud, and lime, showcasing her innovative architectural approach.

As an architect with two decades of commitment to the principles of low-energy and low-embodied carbon designs, I have come to appreciate the potency of architecture as an instrument of transformation. Today, I invite you on an engaging journey as we uncover the remarkable achievement …

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The RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How We're Responding

Image of a contemporary rear extension in Queen's Park, NW London

I've been involved in sustainable design for most of my career, and one of the questions I get asked most often is: what does it actually mean for a practice to be committed to sustainability? Anyone can say the words. The RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge is one of the more useful framewor …

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