Arboreal Architecture

Arboreal Architecture Arboreal is an RIBA Chartered architecture practice in London, designing regenerative, low-energy buildings across the UK.

We create nature-positive, biophilic spaces that combine architecture, landscape and interiors with deep sustainable thinking.

Can a Victorian house achieve Passivhaus standards?Absolutely.Historic buildings are often seen as incompatible with ult...
17/06/2026

Can a Victorian house achieve Passivhaus standards?

Absolutely.

Historic buildings are often seen as incompatible with ultra-low-energy performance, but our experience tells a different story.

This 170-year-old Grade II listed townhouse became the first listed building in England to achieve the AECB Silver Performance Standard, proving that heritage and sustainability can work together.

Key outcomes:

• 75% reduction in space-heating demand
• Airtightness improved from 9.6 ACH to 1.8 ACH
• Original sash windows retained and upgraded with secondary glazing
• Fabric-first approach using bespoke insulation strategies tailored to the historic building fabric

For us, retrofit is about more than energy targets. It’s about creating comfortable, healthy and resilient buildings while preserving the character and craftsmanship that make them special.

If you’re considering a retrofit of a Victorian or listed property, we’d love to discuss the possibilities.






What is MVHR, and why are so many homeowners asking about it?As homes become more airtight and energy efficient, ventila...
16/06/2026

What is MVHR, and why are so many homeowners asking about it?

As homes become more airtight and energy efficient, ventilation is becoming just as important as insulation. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems provide a continuous supply of fresh, filtered air while recovering heat that would otherwise be lost.

The result?

• Better indoor air quality
• Reduced condensation and mould risk
• Improved comfort throughout the year
• Lower heating demand
• A healthier home environment

We are often asked whether MVHR is worth considering for a renovation or new-build project. The answer depends on your home, but understanding how these systems work is an important part of designing sustainable, comfortable buildings.

We’ve created a simple guide answering the questions we hear most often, from airtightness and maintenance to summer comfort and energy efficiency.

To read it, head to our website.






Planning permission granted! We’re thrilled to be moving forward with one of our most ambitious projects to date: a full...
08/06/2026

Planning permission granted!

We’re thrilled to be moving forward with one of our most ambitious projects to date: a fully off-grid Nature House in the Park Ecovillage, Findhorn.

Inspired by the Naturhus concept, the home will sit inside a greenhouse envelope, generating its own renewable energy, harvesting rainwater, recycling resources, and producing fresh food all year round.

A home designed not just to reduce its impact on the planet, but to actively regenerate it.

Reconnecting this off-grid shepherd’s hut with solar power has been a rewarding process so far.We’re currently testing s...
29/05/2026

Reconnecting this off-grid shepherd’s hut with solar power has been a rewarding process so far.

We’re currently testing systems and surveying the grounds for a new off-grid Naturhus project in Findhorn, Scotland - combining sustainable design, self-sufficiency, and low-impact living.

Excited to keep developing this project and share the journey as it evolves.

The UK is facing a rapidly warming future, with heatwaves potentially exceeding 40°C by 2050 and many homes at risk of o...
20/05/2026

The UK is facing a rapidly warming future, with heatwaves potentially exceeding 40°C by 2050 and many homes at risk of overheating. While reports point to increased reliance on air conditioning, this also raises concerns around energy demand and emissions.

As eco-architects, this is already the reality we design for.

Our practice focuses on passive-first solutions: external shading, orientation-led design, thermal mass, and natural cross-ventilation to reduce heat at source. We also prioritise landscape strategies - trees, green roofs, and shaded public realms - to cool the environment before heat reaches the building.

Mechanical cooling has a place in critical settings, but resilience must begin with how we shape buildings, not what we plug into them.

This is the future of climate-responsive design - and it’s already underway in our work.
NaturalVentilation ShadingDesign LowCarbonArchitecture UKClimateAdaptation FutureOfArchitecture

Have you ever wondered what to do with a super constrained space in a tiny house or flat?At Globe House, we transformed ...
13/05/2026

Have you ever wondered what to do with a super constrained space in a tiny house or flat?

At Globe House, we transformed a dark 8.5m² Edwardian scullery into a bright family kitchen by adding just 3.6m².

Instead of simply making the space bigger, we focused on making it work smarter:

a curved corner opening views into the garden
a built-in dining nook + window seat
hidden laundry and storage
an indoor–outdoor herb planter
carefully positioned glazing bringing daylight deep into the home
Small spaces can feel generous, calm and joyful when every centimetre is thoughtfully designed.

This is the kind of sustainable architecture we love most - achieving more with less.

Designing a home shouldn’t cost the earth. We create spaces for eco-conscious homeowners who want more; more comfort, mo...
06/05/2026

Designing a home shouldn’t cost the earth.

We create spaces for eco-conscious homeowners who want more; more comfort, more efficiency, and a lighter footprint. From Passivhaus principles to adaptive reuse, every decision is made with sustainability in mind.

Beautiful, low-energy homes. Thoughtfully designed.
Built around you - and the future.

Let’s start this new project!

It might look simple, but this Grasshopper model represents hours of detailed work - and a crucial foundation for the en...
22/04/2026

It might look simple, but this Grasshopper model represents hours of detailed work - and a crucial foundation for the engineering that follows.

An off-grid Nature House in Findhorn, Scotland, designed for low-energy, self-sufficient living within the Park Ecovillage. Inspired by the Swedish Naturhus, the home sits inside a greenhouse shell - capturing solar heat, extending growing seasons, and creating a sheltered microclimate.

Fabric-first, timber-led, and built around integrated systems for energy, water, and waste - moving beyond low carbon towards regenerative design.

All coordinated through a precise 3D model, bringing structure, enclosure, and space together as one cohesive system.

22/04/2026

It might look simple, but this Grasshopper model represents hours of detailed work - and a crucial foundation for the engineering that follows.

An off-grid Nature House in Findhorn, Scotland, designed for low-energy, self-sufficient living within the Park Ecovillage. Inspired by the Swedish Naturhus, the home sits inside a greenhouse shell - capturing solar heat, extending growing seasons, and creating a sheltered microclimate.

Fabric-first, timber-led, and built around integrated systems for energy, water, and waste - moving beyond low carbon towards regenerative design.

All coordinated through a precise 3D model, bringing structure, enclosure, and space together as one cohesive system.

We’re currently developing the 3D structural model for our Off-Grid Nature House in Findhorn, Scotland.Set within the Pa...
25/03/2026

We’re currently developing the 3D structural model for our Off-Grid Nature House in Findhorn, Scotland.

Set within the Park Ecovillage, the house draws inspiration from the Swedish Naturhus concept - placing the home within a greenhouse to create a closer relationship between people, building, and nature, providing food production all year round for its inhabitants.

Address

St. Margaret's House, 21, Old Ford Road
London
E29PL

Website

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