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Sustainable Design  Services

 
 
 
 
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To achieve net zero by 2050, the UK faces the critical task of dramatically improving the energy efficiency of millions of existing homes and meeting higher standards in new ones. Currently, It’s estimated that around 44% of homes in the UK have an EPC rating of D or below which means high energy bills, uncomfortable living conditions and potential for damage to existing building fabric.​

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TJA's approach to sustainable design centres on the belief that the most valuable starting point is to explore the potential in what has already been built.

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By implementing a whole-house approach, TJA can help you to plan your project holistically to avoid unintended consequences of poorly implemented upgrades and save costs in the long-term. A well coordinated strategy can enable you to future-proof your property, access available government funding, reduce your energy costs and improve your living comfort and health.   

 

Whether you're looking to retrofit your existing home, upgrade it as part of a larger extension/renovation project or develop a new-build project, we can offer a range of services that manage your project from start to finish or focus on supporting you with strategic design only. 

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See one of our retrofit and extension projects here...

 

TJA has been a member of the Green Building Register since 2025. Rebecca Liebermann champions our sustainability services within TJA and is a member of the AECB.   

RIBA Stage 0

Initial Survey

 

  • Visit your home and survey the existing conditions.

  • Ask the right questions to understand your needs and establish your priorities.

  • Support you in arranging a Home Energy Assessment.

  • Understand if your building has specific assessment requirements e.g heritage assessment. 

RIBA Stage 1

Assessment and Briefing

 

  • Review the survey findings and identify the key areas where improvements can be made.

  • Develop an in-depth project brief that outlines the main aims and challenges of your retrofit. 

  • Advise you on retrofit standards and certifications that may be achievable for your project e.g EnerPHhit, AECB CarbonLite.

  • Advise you on available government incentives and grants that may be suitable for your project.

RIBA Stage 2

Strategy development 

  • Develop a step-by step project strategy that breaks the proposed works down into manageable stages.

  • Outline timings as a project programme with appropriate phasing of the works.

  •  Support you in developing an indicative cost plan for the works based on your budget.

  • Outline any statutory consents that may be required to carry out the works e.g planning permission in a conservation area.

RIBA Stage 3

Design to Planning

  • Develop your retrofit strategy into planning drawings that can be used to secure statutory consents if required.

  • Support you with the submission of additional documentation if required e.g Heritage assessment, noise assessment ect.

RIBA Stage 4

Technical Design

 

  • Develop your retrofit strategy into pricing drawings that can be used to get cost estimates from builders. 

  • Develop a design specification, outlining building materials, systems and components.

  • Support you in arranging a party wall survey if required.

  • Discharge any planning conditions as required.

  • Produce pre-construction information as required under CDM regulation.

 

RIBA Stage 5

Construction & Project Management 

 
 

  • Support you in the process of choosing a builder.

  • Support you in choosing and administering a building contract.

  • Develop the pricing drawings into a construction drawing set.

  • Depending on the building contract, fulfil the role of Principal Designer and provide builder and homeowner with information as appropriate under CDM regulations.

  • Depending on the building contract, follow on-site progress and respond to any queries the builder might have regarding the drawings or specification.

  • Following project completion, support you in finalising sign-off of any certification or funding you may have applied for. 

 

Let’s Talk​

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Are you looking for some initial advice about a project? We'd be delighted to chat and suggest ways forward. Talking points typically include:

  • Project milestones

  • Costs and resourcing

  • Planning queries

  • Site challenges and opportunities

  • Conflicting requirements

  • General curiosity

 

Please feel free to get in touch by calling us or emailing us. Details below.​​​​

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