Fox-Groves Architecture

01/10/2026

Passivhaus principles aren't just for new builds. EnerPHit is the Passive House retrofit standard and brings many of the same benefits as a new-build Passivhaus, but each home needs a specific, carefully considered retrofit plan.

Thinking of improving your older home? Book a free consultation, link in bio.

📩 [email protected]
📞 07792678564
🌐 Link in bio | Fox-Groves Architecture

28/09/2026

Planning Approval Secured 🌿🏡

We’re thrilled to have secured a revised planning permission for this single-storey kitchen-diner extension to a charming cottage nestled in the Green Belt and Kent Downs National Landscape. The extension replaces an existing garage.

Great design isn’t just about how a space look; it’s about how it feels and performs:

✨ Enhanced Flow & Light: Thoughtfully reconfiguring the entrance and internal layout creates a seamless transition between the house and its surrounding garden.
✨ Natural, Low-Carbon Materials: Designed with a timber frame and high-performance wood-fibre insulation to lower the carbon footprint while preventing summer overheating.
✨ Whole-House Approach: The client is taking the opportunity to upgrade the thermal performance of the original cottage alongside the extension work.

Building or extending in sensitive locations like the Green Belt doesn't mean compromising on contemporary design, comfort, or sustainability.

Thinking about a sustainable extension or retrofit project in Kent or the Green Belt? Let’s discuss your vision.

📩 [email protected]
📞 07792678564
🌐 Link in bio | Fox-Groves Architecture

24/09/2026

Who says 1960s homes lack character!? 🏡

This split-level bungalow in Kent was featured on the cover of "Houses & Estates" back in 1962 - a real "house of the future" at the time. Over sixty years on, it's had a 1970s loft conversion bolted-on and now needs a very different kind of future-proofing...

The brief: a comprehensive insulation strategy for a home that's thermally leaky and geometrically complicated - it has a mix of split levels (4 levels including the first floor loft!), a mix of flat and vaulted ceilings and a loft conversion that adds even more complicated junctions to carefully detail. We have built a 3D model of the existing house in order to fully understand all the complexities and propose a solution.

The client came to us through the Passivhaus Trust looking for a Certified Passivhaus Designer with specialist low-energy and retrofit experience and we're looking forward to making this home warmer and more comfortable.

If you have a quirky, hard-to-insulate home and want it done properly - get in touch!

07792678564
[email protected]

29/08/2026

We are delighted to have received planning approval for amendments to our previously approved scheme for a roof extension and alterations to this property in Penshurst, Kent. Swipe between the rendered image and existing house.

This property is located in the Green Belt and High Weald National Landscape which restricts development. However, with careful design we've increased the Gross External Area by 105% compared to the original house!

We have also been developing the technical design in tandem; utilising engineered timber I-joists, wood-fibre insulation, triple-glazed windows, an insulated render system and MVHR units to the first floor bedrooms and will soon be going out to tender.

Please do get in touch to see how we can help with your project.
[email protected]
07792678564

28/07/2026

On site for a baseline blower door test at our low-energy retrofit and roof extension project in the High Weald near Penshurst.

The air permeability was 9.59 with significant air leakage identified from the existing 1980s loft conversion, which we're replacing with an enlarged, well-insulated roof extension. The existing suspended timber floor also (unsurprisingly) was not very air-tight, which we will also look to address as part of the works.

We're looking forward to seeing this project on site.

Please do get in touch to see how we can help with your low-energy project.
[email protected]
07792678564

28/07/2026

I hope everyone is keeping safe in the heat!

As this extreme weather is likely to occur more frequently, it's more important than ever to ensure that your home is designed to be comfortable.

As a Certified Passive House Designer, I can model the energy and comfort of your home using PHPP to determine the heating demand and overheating risk and come up with design measures to combat overheating risk, along with specifying appropriate products and materials.

Materials such as Wood Fibre insulation have a significant higher decrement delay (time it takes for external heat to pass through a material) compared to lightweight insulation materials like PIR and so can help to combat overheating.

Triple glazing also reduces solar heat gain compared to double (or single) glazing. As the sun heats the glass, it acts as a radiator - this unshaded window up to 62.8 degrees with only some morning sun! A triple glazed window with the same sun exposure had a surface temperature around 17 degrees cooler.

Please do get in touch to see how we can help with your project.
[email protected]
07792678564

28/07/2026

We're currently working on designs for a whole house retrofit and low-energy kitchen-diner extension to a property near the Surrey Hills.

Due to its location in the Green Belt there are strict restrictions on the volumetric increase which has resulted in a creative roof form which maximises the feeling of space internally whilst minimising it externally.

We are hoping to submit a planning application later in the summer.

Please do get in touch to see how we can help with your project.
[email protected]
07792678564

23/05/2026

Are you ready for the bank holiday heatwave? ☀️

With the rising temperatures it’s important that our homes are designed to keep cool in the summer as well as staying warm in the winter.

A Passivhaus is designed for comfort and, using clever design strategies, appropriate materials and accurate energy modelling (using PHPP), help to keep buildings cooler in the summer.

Please get in touch to see how we can help realise your Passivhaus, EnerPHit or AECB CarbonLite project, whether it’s a new-build or retrofit.

24/04/2026

I recently visited Bologna and was happy to have stumbled across a showroom designed by the incredible Carlo Scarpa. One of only two stores he designed (the other being the Olivetti showroom on Piazza San Marco in Venice). Unfortunately, it was closed so I didn't get a chance to explore inside.

Carlo Scarpa was an Italian Architect known as "the master of detail", blending modernity with tradition and craftmanship. The majority of his work is located in the Veneto region of Italy, which some great examples in Venice.

This project was for the Gavina showroom; to create a "temple of furniture". The façade features a textured concrete plane with monumental windows, drawing the views of passers by, with gold detailing providing contrast.

24/04/2026