UK architects Architype has designed the perfect example of sustainable construction and contemporary design.

After a search that lasted several years, Architype’s west office moved in summer 2006 into a derelict barn and outbuilding in the small village of Upper Twyford in the West of England.

The buildings nestle into the hillside and are surrounded by rolling, wooded countryside, sitting comfortably into the surrounding landscape despite the contemporary conversion. Retaining this sense of place was key from the start and had to be married with the architect’s objective of creating a workplace that was an exemplar of sustainable design.

The result, which was awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects’ prestigious National Sustainability Award, is a day-lit architect’s studio with beautiful views across fields and woodlands, naturally ventilated, heated by biomass, with ample space for working, meeting and socialising.

The green credentials don’t end there – purpose designed low energy lighting and a sophisticated WC extraction system (Airflush system) is helping to save both water and energy.

The team is also measuring the effectiveness of the design technology and materials to improve the performance of future buildings, like the energy usage of the wood chip boiler to see how it changes through the seasons and electricity usage twice a day to minimise consumption.

Why it’s Green
• Orientation and the use of daylight and sunlight for light and solar gain
• Use of “breathing” timber construction
• Use of thermal mass
• Using high levels of insulation
• Minimise cold bridging
• High performance windows and doors
• A range of options for natural ventilation
• Biomass boiler for heating and hot water
• Re-use materials from original building
• Use of UK sourced timber
• Adoption of state of the art water efficiency measures and airflush toilet system
• Natural paints and stains
• Innovative low energy purpose made light fittings
• Landscaping to extend local biodiversity