Architect puts principles into practice with home

A Leeds-based architect is putting low-energy design principles into practice by building his own highly efficient family home as his firm strengthens its expertise in sustainable construction.

Ian Collins, co-founder of Leeds-based Mesh Architects, is developing the property on a tight infill plot between Victorian terraces in Chapel Allerton, where he has lived for around 30 years.

The home is being designed using Passivhaus principles and will be officially certified as a Passivhaus Low Energy Building, with high levels of insulation, carefully positioned glazing, airtight construction and controlled fresh-air ventilation.

Ian said: “For us, this is the future of the business and the future of the built environment.

“Buildings use an enormous amount of energy, and we think the responsible thing to do is improve their performance wherever we realistically can.”

Passivhaus buildings can reduce heating demand by as much as 90 per cent, with Ian’s project designed to demonstrate how energy-efficient construction can create comfortable homes with significantly lower running costs.

The development comes as households prepare for another increase in energy costs, with Ofgem’s price cap set to rise by four per cent from October.

Ian believes better design can help reduce homeowners’ exposure to high and unpredictable energy bills, while demonstrating that sustainability does not have to dictate how a property looks or feels.

He added: “There’s sometimes an assumption that an energy-efficient house has to be a box with tiny windows. 

“It absolutely doesn’t.

“First and foremost, it has to be a great place to live. 

“It needs light, views, spaces that work for the person living there and those little moments that make a house feel special.

“Technical performance matters enormously, but good architecture should also bring you joy. 

“The exciting part is bringing those two things together.”

The project also reflects Mesh’s approach to low-energy design, which it describes as ‘Practically Passive’.

Rather than focusing solely on formal Passivhaus certification, the practice applies principles such as improved insulation, airtightness and efficient ventilation to projects where appropriate.

Ian added: “It doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune or completely changing what somebody wants from their home. 

“Often, it’s about making better decisions at the beginning and having people around the table who understand how to get those decisions right.

“We want Mesh to be at the front of that.

“And with energy bills continuing to rise, it’s another reminder that the cost of a home isn’t just what you pay to buy or build it – it’s what that home costs you to live in for the next 20, 30 or 40 years.”

Mesh is also strengthening its expertise with the appointment of architect Patrick Roobottom.

The 25-year-old joins from Wighton Architects in Farsley after completing his master’s in architecture at Leeds Beckett University and recently qualifying as a Passivhaus designer.

Patrick will work across Mesh’s residential and commercial portfolio, bringing expertise in sustainable and low-energy architecture alongside graphic design and visualisation skills.

Mesh currently employs 12 people, with Ian and fellow director Martin McWilliams planning controlled growth to around 15 while remaining closely involved in projects.

Its sustainability portfolio already includes improvements at Stainbeck Church targeting reductions of up to 85 per cent in heating bills, as well as a low-energy bungalow retrofit on West Park Road and a 38-apartment zero-carbon development in Leeds’ Climate Innovation District.

Alongside residential schemes, Mesh works with developers and commercial clients across retail, hospitality, health and fitness throughout Yorkshire and further afield.

The practice also works with homeowners throughout the development process, from early discussions around budgets and feasibility through planning, contractor selection and construction.

For Ian, his Chapel Allerton project provides an opportunity to demonstrate those principles on his own doorstep while showcasing a lower-energy approach to creating new homes.

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.