We are inviting clients and architects to witness the “invisible architecture” that transforms a cold stone ruin into a warm, breathable, modern home.
We are delighted to announce that our latest show-house—a deep retrofit of a historic stone building—is now open for viewing.
But before you visit, we must be honest: this project is not finished.
In fact, that is exactly why you should come and see it now. The external pointing is still underway, and the final details are yet to be applied. We have deliberately chosen to open our doors at this specific stage because it is the perfect moment to see how modern technology works in harmony with ancient structure.
Usually, by the time a show-house opens, the walls are painted and the engineering is hidden. Right now, you can look “under the bonnet” to see the insulation strategies that are usually invisible.
The Challenge: Warmth Without Damp
The biggest fear with old stone buildings is damp. If you trap moisture behind synthetic foam insulation, you risk mould and structural decay. Historic buildings need to “breathe”.
To solve this, we have used a combination of natural, vapour-permeable materials that allow moisture to escape whilst keeping the heat firmly inside.
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The Stone Walls (Diathonite): On the solid masonry, we are using Diathonite. This is a cork-based, lime thermal plaster that sprays on like a “thermal jacket.” It fills every crack and void in the stone, eliminating cold spots and allowing the wall to regulate humidity naturally.
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The Roof & Timber Frame (Steico): For the upper walls and roof, we have installed Steico rigid wood fibre. It provides incredible insulation against the winter cold, but its high thermal mass also stops the building from overheating in the summer.
The Result: 20°C All Year Round
This isn’t just about using nice materials; it is about performance. This building is a Hybrid Passive House construction designed to NZEB (Near Zero Energy Building) standards.
Thanks to the insulation and airtight detailing, the building is capable of holding a passive temperature of 20°C year-round with almost no need for auxiliary heating. It is a future-proofed home that costs pennies to run.
Fire Safety: Lessons from a Changing Climate
In today’s world, we cannot ignore the changing climate. Fire risk is increasing, and we have built this home with resilience in mind, incorporating hard-learned lessons from the recent devastating fires in California.
While the stone walls offer natural protection, we have ensured the upper external skin is built using fire-proof materials to create a non-combustible envelope.
Crucially, we have addressed “ember attack”—often the main cause of house fires. We have installed spark-arresting mesh to close all ventilation gaps and openings. This simple but vital detail prevents wind-blown embers from entering the wall fabric, ensuring the home remains a safe haven even in extreme conditions.
A “Living Laboratory”
While the performance shell is complete, the interior aesthetics are just beginning. Over the next six months, this house will become a testing ground for textures and finishes.
We are moving beyond standard plasterboard to experiment with:
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Polished Diathonite: Leaving the thermal plaster exposed as a textured feature.
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Natural Clay Plasters: For a soft, organic look that helps regulate air quality.
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Experimental Finishes: New modern techniques that we are trialling for adhesion and durability.
Why isn’t it finished yet? We believe in transparency. Our main designer is currently out of the office, and frankly, we are incredibly busy running major client projects in the south. We always prioritise our clients’ deadlines over our own projects, so we will be finishing the pointing and interior design in phases as our schedule allows.
This gives you a great excuse to visit now to see the “guts” of the build, and return later to see the transformation complete.
Come See the Future of Heritage Retrofit
Don’t miss the chance to see the technology before the final pointing and plaster cover it up forever.