After a minor delay (these things happen) , it's great to be back on site with @salmonsbrothers at our Aldreth Passive House project today. The sun even came out for it . 🌞. It's good to be back and on our way #ruralarchitecture #passivehouse #ecohouse #newbuild #cambridgearchitects #cambridgeshirearchitects #eastanglianarchitecture #onourway #fenstudioarchitects

We've been quiet on the gram so far in 2025. Not through lack of activity though as we've been getting stuck into planning applications, and into some deep technical design work for tender and construction packages. It's always a nice stage to see how the bits n' bobs go together, even if it is sometimes head scratching 🤔 💭

Natural Insulation 🌿🏡 At Fen Studio Architects, our commitment to sustainability drives us to select materials that are both eco-friendly and high-performing. That’s why we often choose @unitylime Pavatherm Isolair and Pavaflex insulation—crafted from recycled timber fibers. These materials offer superior thermal performance while allowing our buildings to breathe naturally. The Pavaflex sits nice and snug between the timber wall studs, while the more rigid Isolair externally wraps the entire building envelope - Fantastic for eliminating thermal bridges. Choosing natural insulators ensures our designs are not only sustainable and energy-efficient but also promote a healthy indoor environment. Their breathable nature, unlike the more mainstream closed-cell insulators, help regulate moisture, reduce the risk of condensation and enhance overall comfort. #SustainableArchitecture #EcoFriendlyDesign #PassiveHouse #NaturalInsulation #WoodFiber #RecycledMaterials #HealthyHomes #FenStudioArchitects #GreenBuilding #LowEnergyLiving #isolair #pavaflex #unitylime

The first sketch ideas for a new Passive House project in East Suffolk, which is being worked up for planning after some encouraging pre-planning advice. Pre-planning advice or more commonly known as 'Pre-apps' provide both architect and client with an opportunity to receive planning advice and guidance prior to making a full planning application. This process often proves to be invaluable, and although it does lengthen the planning process, allows a design to be tested prior to working up a design in detail and prior to commissioning the necessary reports and surveys to accompany an application. Although there is never any guarantee of a planning outcome, we often advise pre-apps to minimise abortive work and to ensure a design has been tested and informed within a planning context prior to a full submission. #newproject #planning #preapp #eastsuffolk #suffolkarchitects #suffolkarchitecture #passivehouse #sketch #architecturesketch #newbuild

🔨 Progress and Autumnal vibes 🍁 🍂 #newbuild #sustainablearchitecture #ecobuild #newbuildhome #beamandblock #construction #homeinthecountry #countryliving #fenstudioarchitects #ecohouse #timberframe #naturalbuildings #greenarchitecture #passivehouse#timberframe #timberframehouse #pavaflex #woodfibreinsulation #healthybuildings

This certainly will be a room with a view for @emma_thebest_page_inthebook at our Aldreth project. Full steam ahead with @salmonsbrothers #roomwithaview #newbuild #sustainablearchitecture #ecobuild #newbuildhome #beamandblock #construction #homeinthecountry #countryliving #fenstudioarchitects #ecohouse #timberframe #naturalbuildings #greenarchitecture #passivehouse#timberframe #timberframehouse #pavaflex #woodfibreinsulation #healthybuildings

. Timbeeeeeeer... @salmonsbrothers have been busy with our new build at Aldreth which has been putting on some timber ready for winter. Lots more of it to come though, as the primary structure is to be entirely built from timber apart from two steel beams and posts. Recycled wood is also used for flexible cavity insulation and rigid external wood fibre board is used to wrap the whole build to keep it nice and cosy. As well as wood being a sustainable building material, using natural products also means the building is able to breathe, a fundamental part of construction which is often overlooked with PIR foam derived insulation products which are not breathable and can trap moisture. Some nice key views also starting to develop. Looking forward to the 1st floor and roof's going on! #newbuild #sustainablearchitecture #ecobuild #newbuildhome #beamandblock #construction #homeinthecountry #countryliving #fenstudioarchitects #ecohouse #timberframe #naturalbuildings #greenarchitecture #passivehouse#timberframe #timberframehouse #pavaflex #woodfibreinsulation #healthybuildings

The award for the most inappropriate site car goes to... When not at the drawing board , I've been busy restoring my classic Mini Cooper sport. Although just a car, this little beast has been with me, and seen me through some of my best years and was around long before architecture was even considered as a career path. Now newly restored (apart from the rust which will be ignored for now) the car has now taken on a new lease of life as the official Fen Studio mascot. Coming to a site near you soon! #roverminicoopersport #classicmini #sitecar #mascot #nostalga #classiccars

Site Progress - Renewable heating: @eco_installer_and_service have been busy installing the Ground Source Heating pipes at out Aldreth New build project. This is a super sustainable heating solution if you have the room for it, and without fully understanding the science it almost seems like wizardry, with coiled pipes in the ground magically providing heating to a property. In actual fact though, the system works by burried 'slinkie' pipes absorbing heat from the ground. The pipes are filled with a mixture of water and antifreeze, also known as thermal transfer fluid or brine. A heat pump within the property then increases the temperature of the brine and transfers the heat to the home's heating system, which in this case is to be used through underfloor heating on the ground floor and radiators on the 1st. When choosing a renewable heating system, which typically means choosing between an Air Source or Ground Source system, we always recommend installing the latter on larger projects, as although initially more expensive, it is much more efficient in the long term than Air Source which relies on variable outside temperatures. This is because heat is absorbed into ground in the summer, and then released into the ground in the winter, lessening the work the heat pump has to do to get everything up to temperature. #gshp #groundsourceheating #renewableenergy #renewableheating #groundsourceheatpump #groundsource #groundworks #construction #sustainability #sustainablearchitecture #sustainablearchitects #passivehouse #ecoarchitecture #ecoarchitects #cambridgeshire #suffolk #hertfordshire #eastanglia #greenarchitecture #greenarchitects #contemporaryarchitecture #contemporaryarchitectures #contemporaryarchitects #contemporaryfarmhouse #architecture #building

Some good beam and block floor action going down at our Aldreth project at the moment. @salmonsbrothers the main contractor cracking on well, ready for @futurebuildbrickwork to build up the block and brick plinths, ready to take the naturally inuslated timber framing. This house will also be powered from a full suite of renewable tech , designed and installed by @eco_installer_and_service for an holistic passive approach to energy use. #newbuild #sustainablearchitecture #ecobuild #newbuildhome #beamandblock #construction #homeinthecountry #countryliving #fenstudioarchitects #ecohouse #timberframe #naturalbuildings #greenarchitecture #passivehouse

Let's get Technical... An exiting time for any project is seeing the planning drawings being transformed into a detailed technical package for tender and construction. We're very much enjoying that process for this new replacement dwelling on a farm in Witnesham, Suffolk. The design takes reference from the wonderful collection of agricultural buildings within the farmyard, and introduces a suite of biodiversity enhancements to tie in with the farms existing environmental initiatives. A big fella this one, so lots more progress to come... #farmhouse #agricultural #architecure #agriculturalarchitecture #farmyard #contemporaryfarmhouse #suffolk #eastanglia #suffolkarchitecture #technicaldesign #constructiondrawings #ecoarchitecture #greenarchitecture #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #biodiversity #contemporaryarchitecture

We've gone bold with our site signage ! 4 x 1ft or 8 x 2ft standardised architects board? No thanks, we'll take a Heras. Looking good next to @salmonsbrothers #fenstudioarchitects #sitesignage #gobold #gobigorgohome #herassignage #architects #siteboard #newbuild #construction

A cracking day back on site today with clients Emma and Simon, and Adam from @salmonsbrothers to witness the first dig and foundation pour. The clients have had the dream of building their own super energy efficient home for many years so a very exciting and meaningful day for them. With clay and trees notoriously being a troublesome two when they get together, the only way to settle them down is with some very deep trenches and lots of heave protection. @salmonsbrothers not hanging around though and going great guns! #construction #foundations #newbuild #newbuildhome #ecohouse #fenstudioarchitects #salmonsbrothers #anewbeginning #passivehouse #sustainablearchitecture #newproject

A construction set prepared for a pre contract signing meeting this week to kick off our new build eco dwelling project in Aldreth, Cambridgeshire which will become a reality from next month. It often looks an easy process when seeing built work on architects websites and socials, especially with high performing new builds, but with so many variables at play, reaching this milestone is a very big achievement for both client and architect. The success of this project so far has been helped massively by the clients realistic expectations and an incredibly stoic attitude towards the whole process. Very excited to see this start. Plenty of updates to follow... #newbuildecohome #newbuild #newbuildhome #passivehouse #construction #cambridgshire #architecture #newproject

Staddle stone research for a current project - A few nice examples dotted around East Anglia. The word staddle" comes from the Old English word stathol, which means "base" or "support". The use of staddles came into prominence in 17th century agricultural Britain, and were used to support granaries, hayricks and game larders while keeping the contents dry. You'd think the mushroom shaped staddles were an aesthetic choice, but were actually shaped as such to make it difficult for rats and mice to climb. A good example of function over form. #staddlestones #agriculturalarchitecture #functionoverform #historicreference