top of page
News

Estate Retrofit Toolkit is a BE-ST Award finalist

Helen Murray
Start Now

The Estate Retrofit Toolkit has been named a finalist in the BE-ST Awards this year amongst a host of industry innovators. We're keeping our fingers crossed until the ceremony in November. 


The toolkit is free to members of the public sector, head to https://www.estateretrofit.com/ to learn more and download today.


Related articles

Liberton Nursery recognised by the Edinburgh Architectural Association

Our elegant retrofit of Liberton Nursery has been named a finalist in the Edinburgh Architectural Association's 2026 Awards

Liberton Nursery
Schools
Architecture
Material Impacts
Crafting High Performance Retrofit
News

Liberton Nursery recognised by the Edinburgh Architectural Association

Helen Murray
21 Sept 2026
A Sustainable Achievement for the Wye Valley Trust's Community Diagnostic and Treatment Centre

​

Wye Valley Community Diagnostic and Treatment Centre
Care
News

A Sustainable Achievement for the Wye Valley Trust's Community Diagnostic and Treatment Centre

Helen Murray
18 Sept 2026
Creating a digital blueprint for the smart home of the future

The smart home of the future is not about more technology. It is about more independence. 

Living
Architecture
Building Performance
Building Physics
Client Advice & Support
Material Impacts
Technical Advice
Article

Creating a digital blueprint for the smart home of the future

Kirstin Assheton
15 Sept 2026
Why creativity is essential to SEND design

Associate Director Lee Fordham spoke to SENDsational Futures about designing for students with special educational needs and disabilities

Schools
Architecture
Publication

Why creativity is essential to SEND design

Helen Murray
Lee Fordham
10 Sept 2026
Estate Retrofit Toolkit is a BE-ST Award finalist

The Estate Retrofit Toolkit has been named a finalist in the BE-ST Awards this year amongst a host of industry innovators

Research & Consultancy
Client Advice & Support
EnerPHit informed Retrofit Planning
News

Estate Retrofit Toolkit is a BE-ST Award finalist

Helen Murray
9 Sept 2026
Join us at Learning Places Scotland 2026

There's two chances to hear from Architype at Learning Places Scotland this year

Currie Community High School
Event

Join us at Learning Places Scotland 2026

Helen Murray
16 Aug 2026
We're attending the Measure Up Conference 2026

Seb will be sharing findings from our current work in Wales, a heritage decarbonisation pilot

Cultural
Building Performance
Healthier Buildings
Event

We're attending the Measure Up Conference 2026

Helen Murray
13 Aug 2026
Architype's research recognised at the Structural Timber Awards 2026

"A fantastic report that gives much-needed clarity in the current soup of confusion that is designing for fire resistance!"

Safe Timber Schools
News

Architype's research recognised at the Structural Timber Awards 2026

Helen Murray
11 Aug 2026
Studio visits: Currie Community High School

Seb Laan Lomas recently visited The City of Edinburgh Council's Currie Community High School and captured some beautiful shots with the team on a sunny day. 

Currie Community High School
News

Studio visits: Currie Community High School

Helen Murray
3 Aug 2026
The Estate Retrofit Toolkit is live

The Estate Retrofit Toolkit is officially live. Watch the recording here

Client Advice & Support
Crafting High Performance Retrofit
News

The Estate Retrofit Toolkit is live

Helen Murray
31 Jul 2026
An architect's guide to heatwave resilience

Co-owners Sioned Holland and Dr Chryssa Thoua spoke to RIBA about designing healthy, resilient schools as part of a professional feature educating architects on key strategies.

Mulberry Academy London Docks
Harris Academy Sutton
Hackbridge Primary School
Building Physics
Building Performance
Climate Resilience
Publication

An architect's guide to heatwave resilience

Helen Murray
30 Jul 2026
Inspiring students with the Young City Makers Programme

Encouraging conversations about design, creativity and placemaking with school students

Collaborating With Communities
News

Inspiring students with the Young City Makers Programme

Helen Murray
15 Jul 2026
Launching the Estate Retrofit Toolkit

Join us on Thursday 9th July at 1pm as we talk through this innovative new tool that aims to empower local authorities to make real, data-informed decisions about their estates. 

Research & Consultancy
Passivhaus
EnerPHit informed Retrofit Planning
Event

Launching the Estate Retrofit Toolkit

Helen Murray
2 Jul 2026
What have we achieved in 5 years? An update to our Climate Action Roadmap 2030

A 5 year summary of our Carbon Roadmap as we look towards 2030

Research & Consultancy
Strategic Advice
Climate Resilience
Article

What have we achieved in 5 years? An update to our Climate Action Roadmap 2030

Helen Murray
30 Jun 2026
Upcoming talks: June and July 2026

Highlighting key events over the next few weeks

Strategic Advice
Event

Upcoming talks: June and July 2026

Helen Murray
29 Jun 2026
Healthy Schools for healthy kids and futures with Woodknowledge Wales

Seb Laan Lomas will be joined by policy makers, manufacturers and education experts as he shares insights from our Safe Timber Schools publication.

Safe Timber Schools
Research & Consultancy
Event

Healthy Schools for healthy kids and futures with Woodknowledge Wales

Helen Murray
29 Jun 2026
How passive design can combat overheating in schools

Sioned Holland shares how intelligent design supports climate resilient schools

Harris Academy Sutton
Mulberry Academy London Docks
Schools
Building Physics
Climate Resilience
Publication

How passive design can combat overheating in schools

Helen Murray
23 Jun 2026
Education Buildings Wales 2026

Seb Laan Lomas and Dr Chryssa Thoua will be attending Education Building Wales 2026 sharing key insight into healthy and impactful school design

Safe Timber Schools
Strategic Advice
Event

Education Buildings Wales 2026

Helen Murray
16 Jun 2026
Architype shortlisted for AJ100 Award

The Estate Retrofit Toolkit has been shorlisted for an AJ100 Award: Climate Initiative of the Year

Research & Consultancy
Client Advice & Support
EnerPHit informed Retrofit Planning
News

Architype shortlisted for AJ100 Award

Helen Murray
12 Jun 2026
Launch of the Smart Home Digital Blueprint – secure your place now

We're excited to support the launch of our collaboration on Envision: the digital blueprint for the smart home of the future with the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre on 2nd June

Living
Research & Consultancy
Event

Launch of the Smart Home Digital Blueprint – secure your place now

Helen Murray
19 May 2026
RAU's Innovation Village granted outline planning

The Royal Agricultural University's new Innovation Village, a low-carbon research, development and entrepreneurship hub, has been granted outline planning

RAU Innovation Village
Higher Education
Passivhaus
Net Zero Carbon Estates Strategies
News

RAU's Innovation Village granted outline planning

Helen Murray
14 May 2026
We're attending the 28th International Passivhaus Conference 2026

This is a must-see presentation for anyone invested in making education estates better for all - for energy, comfort and health. 

Schools
Passivhaus
Climate Resilience
Event

We're attending the 28th International Passivhaus Conference 2026

Helen Murray
16 Apr 2026
Join us for the Passivhaus Trust's Retrofit Masterclass

Learn about estate-wide retrofit tools in use, in this practical, data-led course with our industry experts.

Technical Advice
Crafting High Performance Retrofit
Event

Join us for the Passivhaus Trust's Retrofit Masterclass

Helen Murray
7 Apr 2026
What does the UK NZCBS mean to you and your project, now Version 1 is live?

The new standard is a vital re-focusing and puts an emphasis on proof -  does your building ‘do what it says on the tin’?

Building Performance
Climate Resilience
Article

What does the UK NZCBS mean to you and your project, now Version 1 is live?

Sebastian Laan Lomas
20 Mar 2026
Riverside wins CIBSE Building Performance Award

Riverside Primary School has been named the CIBSE Education Building of the Year at the 2025 Building Performance Awards.

Riverside Primary School
News

Riverside wins CIBSE Building Performance Award

Helen Murray
10 Mar 2026
Join us at the Sustainable Construction Conference

Join Ann-Marie Fallon as she speaks at the Sustainable Construction Conference, held by Queen's University, Belfast.

The Entopia Building
Working
Material Impacts
Transitioning to a Circular Economy
Event

Join us at the Sustainable Construction Conference

Helen Murray
25 Feb 2026
Celebrating Chryssa's academic success

We are thrilled to celebrate Chyssa Thoua on passing her viva for her PhD research into the total health performance of primary schools in the UK

Research & Consultancy
Material Impacts
Healthier Buildings
Building in Biodiversity
Innovating with Natural Materials
News

Celebrating Chryssa's academic success

Helen Murray
23 Feb 2026
Event: Passivhaus Design in Healthcare with Architects for Health

Join Director Mark Barry as he discusses Passivhaus Design in Healthcare: Healthy Buildings for People and Planet with Architects for Health on 24th February.

Care
Passivhaus
Climate Resilience
Event

Event: Passivhaus Design in Healthcare with Architects for Health

Helen Murray
16 Feb 2026
The Wye Valley Trust Community Diagnostic and Treatment Centre Opens

We’re delighted to announce that this new, patient-focused facility has opened its doors to the public

Wye Valley Community Diagnostic and Treatment Centre
Care
News

The Wye Valley Trust Community Diagnostic and Treatment Centre Opens

Helen Murray
1 Jan 2026
London welcomes architecture students for sustainable roundtable

We were delighted to host a rewarding Q&A session in our London studio last week

Collaborating With Communities
News

London welcomes architecture students for sustainable roundtable

Helen Murray
17 Dec 2025
West Park development achieves WELL Residence precertification

West Park, a new purpose-built student accommodation for The University of Exeter, has become the first of its kind to achieve WELL Residence pre-certification.

West Park and Birks Grange Village Student Housing
Living
Healthier Buildings
News

West Park development achieves WELL Residence precertification

Helen Murray
4 Dec 2025
Currie opens, Part 1: The Commitment Brief

The new Currie Community High School in Edinburgh recently opened its doors, making history as one of Scotland’s first Passivhaus secondary schools; a significant milestone in the UK’s low-energy design agenda.

Currie Community High School
Article

Currie opens, Part 1: The Commitment Brief

Jorge Barreno Cardiel
1 Dec 2025
Launch of Safe Schools for the Future

Safe Schools for the Future saw its official launch on 2nd September. Co-author and Architype’s associate Seb Laan Lomas shares an introduction to the guidance.

Schools
Technical Advice
News

Launch of Safe Schools for the Future

Sebastian Laan Lomas
5 Sept 2025
Cultivating Reciprocal Connections: Looking Back on a Film Evening with UK Treescapes during Architecture Fringe 2025

Architype’s Edinburgh studio hosted a film evening as part of 2025’s Architecture Fringe welcoming researchers from UK Treescapes, Deirde Heddon and Rachel Clive along with collaborators and members of the public.

​
News

Cultivating Reciprocal Connections: Looking Back on a Film Evening with UK Treescapes during Architecture Fringe 2025

Architype
26 Aug 2025
Disrupting Circular Conversations: A Deconstruction and Material Reuse Roundtable

Architype welcomed collaborators to our London Studio for a roundtable discussion between actors at key stages of the material reuse journey

The Entopia Building
Transitioning to a Circular Economy
Article

Disrupting Circular Conversations: A Deconstruction and Material Reuse Roundtable

Architype
31 Jul 2025
Measuring Mass Timber Feature: Harris Academy Sutton

We’re pleased to have featured in this insightful publication from dRMM on Measuring Mass Timber looking at the environmental and quality of life benefits of timber construction.

Harris Academy Sutton
Publication

Measuring Mass Timber Feature: Harris Academy Sutton

Architype
1 Jul 2025
Entopia wins a regional BCO Award

The Entopia Building has won the Refurbished / Recycled Workplace Award at the British Council for Offices Awards for the Midlands and Central England.

The Entopia Building
Crafting High Performance Retrofit
News

Entopia wins a regional BCO Award

Architype
10 May 2025
Architraining: Supporting Young City Makers

Co-owners Aoife Gilchrist, Sioned Holland and Kim Huynh had the privilege of working with a local school through Open City’s Young City Makers programme.

Collaborating With Communities
News

Architraining: Supporting Young City Makers

Aoife Gilchrist
Kim Huynh
10 Apr 2025
Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Film Evening

We are excited to be co-hosting an event with UK Treescapes researchers Professor Dee Heddon and Dr Rachel Clive on the Monday 9th June at our Edinburgh studio.

Climate Resilience
News

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Film Evening

Architype
1 Apr 2025
Timber: Why it’s worth more investment

Architectural Designer Jemma Ho reflects on her recent experience on NMITEs newly Timber Engineering Design 12-week course.

Innovating with Natural Materials
Article

Timber: Why it’s worth more investment

Jemma Ho
22 Oct 2024
UK Passivhaus Conference 2024: Our Main Takeaways

The Passivhaus Conference 2024 was held in Oxford – a city where historic tradition meets cutting-edge research making it an ideal backdrop for exploring the latest in low-energy design. 

Passivhaus
Event

UK Passivhaus Conference 2024: Our Main Takeaways

Sioned Holland
4 Oct 2024
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery - a new lease of life

We are incredibly pleased to announce that the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery project has received planning and listed building consent approval in July. 

Hereford Museum and Art Gallery
Cultural
Building Physics
Article

Hereford Museum and Art Gallery - a new lease of life

Paul Neep
30 Jul 2024
Architype is #ProudlyEO: Employee Ownership Day 2024

Our identity as an Employee Owned business means that all our co-owners have a meaningful stake in the business: Everyone has a voice in the future of Architype.

​
News

Architype is #ProudlyEO: Employee Ownership Day 2024

Helen Murray
21 Jun 2024
The circle of a building’s life

Circular economy principles have often been aspired to in building projects, but what does that really mean in practice?

The Entopia Building
Material Impacts
Transitioning to a Circular Economy
Article

The circle of a building’s life

Ben Humphries
29 May 2024
Designing for Tomorrow: Edinburgh Adapts Partnership Event

Architype's Edinburgh studio welcomed Fiona MacLeod and Julie Waldron to the Old Assembly Hall for a built environment sector workshop around the developing Climate Ready Edinburgh adaptation plans.

​
Event

Designing for Tomorrow: Edinburgh Adapts Partnership Event

Architype
3 May 2024
Opening our Scottish studio - five years on

At the Learning Places Scotland Awards in November, Architype was delighted and grateful to win Architectural Practice of the Year.

​
Article

Opening our Scottish studio - five years on

Jonathan Hines
26 Mar 2024
Our commitments to climate

For the first time in the 4.5 billion year history of the planet, our home, the climate impacts of our lives have exceeded the planet’s ability to self-heal.

Climate Resilience
News

Our commitments to climate

Sebastian Laan Lomas
15 Feb 2024
Housing for a greener Scotland

Scottish housing design is on the verge of major change.

Callaughtons Ash
Edward’s Court Extra Care
Agar Grove 1a
Living
Passivhaus
Article

Housing for a greener Scotland

Kirstin Assheton
7 Feb 2024
The British Standard everyone should be talking about

Why is it that the construction industry is so bad at examining its products in use and learning from them? What is Building Performance Evaluation?

Building Performance
Article

The British Standard everyone should be talking about

Sebastian Laan Lomas
6 Sept 2023
Our climate action roadmap

Scientific consensus is that actions this decade will determine the extents of rapidly worsening climate breakdown.

The Entopia Building
Hackbridge Primary School
The Enterprise Centre
News

Our climate action roadmap

Architype
14 Jun 2023
A celebration of Passivhaus

It was in 2006 that I was given a book that would have a profound impact on both mine and Architype’s journey into Passivhaus design.

Harris Academy Sutton
The Paper Store
The Enterprise Centre
Passivhaus
Article

A celebration of Passivhaus

Architype
25 May 2023
Making space and time for climate action

Architype enjoyed welcoming the Architect Climate Action Network’sClimate Literacy Group and Architects Declare into our Edinburgh studio

​
Event

Making space and time for climate action

Architype
2 Mar 2023
Climate justice is as critical as carbon

In the lead up to COP27 and during this year’s global climate strike, our teams in Edinburgh, Hereford and London took time to think about what as a practice we can do to help

​
Article

Climate justice is as critical as carbon

Sebastian Laan Lomas
Architype
17 Nov 2022
How to achieve zero carbon estates

Seb Laan Lomas discusses how retrofit is crucial to combatting climate change

The Enterprise Centre
The Entopia Building
Building Physics
Net Zero Carbon Estates Strategies
Article

How to achieve zero carbon estates

Sebastian Laan Lomas
18 Jul 2022
Scientists have united: Now’s the time for the building industry to do the same

The latest IPCC Report, like every one that came before it, is an overwhelming call to action if we are to urgently limit global heating and mitigate catastrophic climate change.

​
Article

Scientists have united: Now’s the time for the building industry to do the same

Architype
6 Apr 2022
Global inspiration at COP26

The Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia is among 17 exemplary sustainable projects selected to feature in Build Better Now, the COP26 Built Environment virtual pavilion.

The Enterprise Centre
Event

Global inspiration at COP26

Architype
22 Oct 2021
Our Ten Favourite Buildings

To mark endometriosis month and raise awareness that one in ten people can be impacted by this disease, we are profiling our favourite ten Architype buildings.

​
Article

Our Ten Favourite Buildings

Architype
29 Mar 2021
One in Ten

Architype has taken the step to become an endometriosis friendly employer. But what does that mean? It means that we are working to support employees who suffer from the effects of endometriosis.

​
Article

One in Ten

Architype
29 Mar 2021
Countdown to Zero Carbon

March 2021 brings us another month closer to the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference , taking place in Glasgow this November

​
Article

Countdown to Zero Carbon

Catherine Harrington
17 Mar 2021
A welcome move for Architype’s Employee Benefit Trust

Architype’s journey towards full employee ownership has taken a welcome step forward with the appointment of a new external trustee and new staff trustee in our Edinburgh studio

​
News

A welcome move for Architype’s Employee Benefit Trust

Lisa Edwards
4 Feb 2021
Breathing Easy

Architype researcher Chryssa Thoua DiplArchEng MSc MRes undertaking post occupancy evaluation The quality of air we breathe is...

Schools
Article

Breathing Easy

Chryssa Thoua
21 Oct 2020
Climate Action

In support of the global climate strike we continue to call for action- not words - from policy makers. 

Climate Resilience
Article

Climate Action

Emily Partridge
25 Sept 2020
Howard Meadowcroft

The funeral for our dear friend and colleague Howard Meadowcroft BA(Hons) DipArch(Cantab) was held on Friday 6 March.

​
News

Howard Meadowcroft

Jonathan Hines
9 Mar 2020
Greenwashing: is Passivhaus doing enough?

George Mikurcik discusses why operational energy and embodied carbon in practice, and why Passivhaus is our best tool to fight the climate crisis.

The Enterprise Centre
Passivhaus
Article

Greenwashing: is Passivhaus doing enough?

Architype
26 Feb 2020
Bee Bio-Diverse

By Lydia Moth, Architectural Assistant  BSc(Hons) MArch Our climate action continues - here are some practical ways you can help protect...

Building in Biodiversity
Article

Bee Bio-Diverse

Architype
18 Nov 2019
Waste not, want not: How buildings can come full circle

The UN has warned that our failure to act early on climate change means we now must deliver even deeper cuts to carbon emissions just to stand a chance of slowing down the rise in temperatures.

Harris Academy Sutton
The Enterprise Centre
Transitioning to a Circular Economy
Article

Waste not, want not: How buildings can come full circle

Architype
​
Opinion: Stage 2 of the Scottish Passivhaus Equivalent Consultation

The Scottish Passivhaus Equivalent policy is an excellent next step, collaboratively developed with the construction sector, recognising the value of Passivhaus delivery

Passivhaus
Article

Opinion: Stage 2 of the Scottish Passivhaus Equivalent Consultation

Architype
​

Vision

EnerPHit informed Retrofit Planning

Add a Title
Architype Perform White.png
EnerPHit informed Retrofit Planning

How do we support major estate owners to logically plan their journeys towards meeting their net zero targets?

Related Projects

bottom of page