<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1083252946034219&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

Blog / Sustainable Design (3)

Less Talk. More Thoughtful Building.

Architects-New-Build-House-Belsize-Park-London-RISE-Design-Studio

Our industry knows how to say the right things.

Read Story

The Art of Lighting in Sustainable Architecture: Insights from Craig Turner of Orluna

RISE-Design-Studio-Craig-Turner-Orluna-Sustainable-Lighting

Interviewer: Sean Ronnie Hill, Director of RISE Design Studio Sean Ronnie Hill: Craig, thank you for joining me. At RISE Design Studio, we place a strong emphasis on sustainable, human-centred design, and lighting plays a crucial role in shaping how spaces are experienced. Orluna’s ap …

Read Story

Beyond the Bin: What Architecture Can Learn from Silo

Douglas McMaster of Silo, Max McDonagh of AKT II, and Sean Ronnie Hill and Imran Jahn of RISE Design Studio standing together at Solus Tiles, discussing zero-waste design and sustainable architecture.

We went to an event last night at Solus Tiles. A gathering of architects, designers, engineers, and thinkers. People who make things. People who should be asking: How do we make things better?

Read Story

Start Smart: Why Feasibility is the First Steps That Matters

A hand-drawn architectural sketch illustrating passive design strategies for a sustainable building. The drawing includes annotations highlighting key features such as MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) intake and extract, overhangs to reduce heat gain from the summer sun, and fins or slot openings for framing views while minimizing overheating from the setting sun. Arrows indicate the paths of winter sun and summer shading, demonstrating solar gain control. The sketch also highlights a sheltered outdoor space for protection against inclement weather and a connection to nature through large openings. The background consists of loosely sketched trees and vegetation, situating the building within a natural landscape.

If you don’t know where you're going, how will you know when you’ve arrived?

Read Story

External Wall Insulation: More Than Just a Blanket for Your Home

Kitchen in Low Energy Home with Birch plywood clad ceiling and Dinesen Douglas Fir floor and bespoke kitchen cabinets

When I was growing up, winter had a way of seeping into our home. I remember lying in bed, watching my breath form little clouds in the air, huddled under layers of blankets, waiting for the morning sun to take the edge off the cold. The walls of our house felt more like a sieve than …

Read Story

The Future of Home: Where Comfort, Energy, and Wellbeing Meet

Entrance Hallway of Low Energy Home for house in Surrey, South East England

2025 feels like a turning point.

Read Story

Interview with Olly Jones & Anne-Claire – Clients of Herbert Paradise

Client's dog in rear garden with garden studio of low energy home in London in background

Interviewer: Sean Ronnie Hill, Director of RISE Design Studio

Read Story

Oriel House: Planning Approved for a Deep Retrofit in Queen’s Park, London

Some houses have history. Others have potential. Oriel House has both.

Read Story

Insulation: The Quiet Hero of Sustainable Living

In our pursuit of sustainable design, the spotlight often falls on cutting-edge technologies and bold aesthetics. But let’s pause and consider a quieter, often-overlooked element: insulation. At RISE Design Studio, we view insulation not just as a building material, but as an essentia …

Read Story

Redefining the Modern Country House: The Art and Challenge of Paragraph 80

A modern countryside home featuring a minimalist design with a gabled roof and large vertical windows, blending natural stone and timber materials. The house is surrounded by lush greenery, a reflective pond with lily pads in the foreground, and an open, serene rural landscape in the background.

For those who dream of creating a one-of-a-kind home nestled in the quiet beauty of the countryside, Paragraph 80 offers a rare and exciting opportunity. This section of the UK’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is not just a policy - it’s an invitation to think differently, …

Read Story

Subscribe by email