Absolutely meets Architecture for London founder Ben Ridley to discuss sustainable design
Architecture for London is an award-winning studio made up of a collaborative team of architects, engineers, landscape and interior designers. Environmental impact is a key consideration in their work: they take a research-based, fabric first approach to sustainability that carefully considers the embodied energy of materials and the performance of buildings in use.
As a main contractor via sister company, AFL Build, they aim to close the construction gap, with specialist experience in constructing airtight and highly insulated buildings.
Q How do you describe your approach to design services?
A At our core we are an architect-led studio, but we uniquely offer a full range of complementary services. We take pride in an inclusive and open design process that involves the client at each stage. We strive for a poetic response to design questions and proposals are developed with an iterative approach to sketching, model making and visualisation. Our work draws inspiration from the existing built fabric of our cities and, crucially, is informed by the immediate site context. This considered approach creates beautiful and contextual buildings that provide value for money in both construction and use.
Q Your studio emphasises sustainable design and the creation of healthy homes. Can you describe your ethos further?
A I have always had a keen interest in sustainability in relation to the built environment. This is really important as up to 25% of CO2 emissions come from our buildings. I qualified as a Certified Passivhaus Designer in 2016 and these principles have become a guiding force for my practice’s work.
Q You recently renovated your own low energy house, can you tell us more about the project?
A I bought the house with the goal of refurbishing it, so I was looking for an unloved home and was open to a challenging project. I found the perfect one – an Edwardian house in Muswell Hill that hadn’t been refurbished since the 1970s. The project offered the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our practice’s values. The design process had to carefully balance sustainability and budget, whilst trying to avoid a compromise between low-energy improvements and aesthetics.
Q How long have you lived there and who do you share the property with?
A The renovation was completed in 2021, and I’ve lived there since. I live with my cat Astrid and also regularly welcome Airbnb guests. Visitors are always very complimentary of the house!
Q What was it like before you moved in?
A It was a very dark and damp house, which hadn’t been refurbished in over 40 years. It’s been transformed to a calming, low-energy home. Originally, it had lots of redfloral carpets and pink flock wallpaper.
The final result has been extremely rewarding, the low-energy standards come with comfort standards and the home is really easy to be in as a result. The home is draught-free with a consistent temperature, making features such as the window seat in the kitchen very inviting even on the coldest of days.
Q How have you extended the house and what impact has this had in terms of flow and functionality?
A The renovation added around 500sqft. The wall between the living room and the hallway was removed and rebuilt to half-height, letting in light from the front door to brighten the kitchen in the middle part of the ground floor. The new ‘broken plan’ arrangement has enabled the entire ground floor to flow together and to be used as one space. At the back of the house the dining area takes pride of place in the new extension. This rear addition provides a bright space with a large triple-glazed circular rooflight. A full-height, oak-framed triple-glazed window and door at the rear provide lovely views over the garden. The grey rendered finish to the extension is the same as that used over much of the rest of the house’s exterior, where it has been externally insulated.
Q Which materials did you work with?
A Natural materials including stone, timber and lime plaster were used throughout rather than cement-based products. I enjoy clean and minimal spaces because they help calm the mind after a busy day. Lime plaster has a beautiful, natural finish, meaning that no paint was required. A minimal approach also highlights the textures of the natural materials.
Q How have you successfully reduced energy requirements in the house?
A The project has achieved an impressive 80% saving in the space heating costs compared to usage before the renovation works. Design features include timber structure, triple glazing, a continuous airtight layer and insulation to the entire building envelope. Insulating internally at the front has allowed the original Edwardian facade to be preserved. Walls were insulated externally at the side and rear, and internally at the front with wood fibre. Masonry nib walls were retained at ground floor to avoid energy-intensive steel box frames. An MVHR system provides pre-heated fresh air, creating a warm and comfortable home. The system also filters the incoming air, removing pollen, diesel particulates and NOx to create a healthy indoor environment.
Q Can you tell us more about the interior design?
A The aim was to create a calm space with natural colours, rich material textures, and contemporary design pieces. The living space houses an eclectic collection of contemporary furniture including sofas from Really Well Made, armchair and footstool by Carl Hansen and chairs by Muuto. The stone coffee table is the Knoll Krusin from Aram Store, customised with a bespoke top supplied by Grassi Pietre. The open-plan kitchen area features a generous island fully clad in Grassi Pietre limestone and appliances by Fisher & Paykel. The master bedroom has been transformed into a warm and modest sanctuary, cocooned by an S-fold Kvadrat curtain.
Q What’s your favourite room in the house?
A The open plan area downstairs, which includes a kitchen island and window seat. The limestone island is in the centre of the ground floor, so it really works well as the social heart of the home. We designed it without cupboards to appear as a ‘solid block’ of stone. The slight polish means that it gently reflects light, and the way that light reveals the fossils in the stone is beautiful.
Q What do you see as the future for low energy housing in general? And what needs to be done to achieve this?
A Low Energy House is a test case for what can be achieved with a retrofit of an ordinary terrace house on a small budget. I believe small budgets are key to scaling sustainable homes nationally.
