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Alden Rose

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

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About Us

“In 2016 I was asked by a client to take their architectural drawings for a new build house and make it into an ‘Eco-House’.  I had some knowledge of what was needed, but knew it required a lot more research.  Reading everything on the internet I could I came across the IPHA - the International Passive House Association in Germany.  Compared to the English Building Regulations at the time, I was dumbfounded that many countries were joining the Passivhaus movement, and at that time we were miles away from anything similar.

The cost of studying for the official examinations at the time was out of my realm for a one-off project but I followed some of the principles and recommended numerous changes to the design provided.  This got my attention on the role of our built environment on the Climate Crisis (or Global Warming as it was then known).  

Fast forward to the lockdown era of Covid and I used the time wisely, studying everything I could.  I attended every webinar possible and signed up to many international newsletters and started to see how this world of Passive building was on a huge increase in so many countries yet England, once the leaders of so many points in time, didn’t seem to be interested.

The Post-Covid years have completely changed me.   The more I researched into Climate Change and the built environment, the more I wanted to understand the details and what we can do to make a difference.  I joined Arkiplan Architectural Ltd, a nationwide online architectural practice with approximately 500 clients at any one time, where I saw first-hand the planning and building control systems throughout England and Wales.  Having clients across the country wanting to build sustainably but having to resort to traditional methods as they couldn’t find a knowledgeable builder was a daily occurrence, and I began to get frustrated.

On a new mission,  I studied in every spare moment I had to gain qualifications in Energy Efficiency and received my Government-endorsed Trustmarks in 2022 and 2023, and finally took my IPHA exams in 2023 to become an internationally recognised Certified Passive House Consultant.  

As a child of the ‘70s, I have seen changes to the way we live caused by consumerism and corporations, increases in technology and the general pace of life.  I admit to being the same as most people, continuing along without considering my actions in a bid to make my life easier.

Woodvalley Vineyards, Billericay

I am also a co-owner of a new vineyard in Billericay, Essex - Woodvalley Vineyards - where we now have over 2600 “small trees” taking over 1.5 tonnes of carbon out of the atmosphere and use regenerative farming techniques rather than harse chemicals.  

 I can confirm first-hand that climate change has shifted weather patterns around us: France is now turning to UK vineyards to buy grapes as their crop production is being affected, stating that the UK is now the best climate for wine. That’s good news for us hopefully, but it shows that the world is changing.

You can read more about our biodiverse vineyard here

Raising Awareness

Throughout the years I have researched and studied, I have seen what other countries are doing to combat Climate Change and seen how far behind the UK is in adopting new methods, techniques and building standards.  We have a vast shortage of skills, manufacturers and supply chains which needs to change.  It is slowly getting there but it is not enough to reach the Paris Agreement targets.

I believe that education should be free to everyone and have written a series of blogs to explain Climate Change and what we need to do that I hope will help raise awareness.  I have also written some other industry related news and articles and I hope you find them useful. These are available in our Advice Centre Page, that you can read here

Thank you for reading!”     

Keeley Harris - Architectural Designer, Certified Passive House Consultant, Energy Efficiency Advisor   

(And vineyard co-owner )