The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
In this episode, architect John Christophers shares lessons from a decade of monitoring his own home, which generates 40 per cent more energy than it uses.
We continue our focus on building performance and explore what one can glean from monitoring a small project. The scope of a building performance study can be adapted to suit any project or budget and is useful on a building of any size. John also explains how through open days and local engagement, momentum for retrofit at neighbourhood scale has resulted in a pilot project with Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics Lab.
In 2013, John retrofitted and extended a two-up two-down Victorian terraced house in Birmingham’s Balsall Heath neighbourhood, adding Passivhaus levels of insulation and triple-glazing. The extension features unfired load-bearing clay bricks and compacted earth floors, as well a monopitch roof that incorporates both PV and solar thermal.
In this wide-ranging discussion, John describes pioneering projects he has led with Associated Architects and explains why he has chosen to work freelance as a client advisor and sustainability champion.
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About John Christophers
John has had a long involvement and collaboration with Associated Architects, where he was a partner until 2004 when a serious bike accident prompted him to rethink his career and go freelance. He has collaborated regularly with Associated Architects over the years, designing numerous Passivhaus projects, including most recently the Green at St Richard’s Hospice, shortlisted this year in the AJ Retrofit Awards.
John began as the practice’s green champion back in the 1990s, later launching a green team. Today John increasingly works client side as a sustainability champion and design advisor. He recently authored Herefordshire’s Future Homes Standard for 2500 new net zero homes to be delivered over the next decade.
Zero Carbon House, by John Christophers. Photo by Martine Hamilton Knight
Show notes: Projects and resources mentioned in this episode
King’s School Boathouse by Associated Architects
Press release of latest IPPC report
RIBA Code of Conduct
BioRegional One Planet Living
Green at St. Richard’s Hospice (2021)
Hereford Future Homes standard
Mikhail Riches' Clay Field (2009)
Good Homes Alliance Build Net Zero Now
St Richard's Hospice. Photo by Tom Bird
Passivhaus work in York and Norwich
Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics Action Lab
The AJ’s RetroFirst campaign
Zero Carbon Lab, Professor Ljub Jankovic
Cobtun House (2003)
Eco Vicarages (2011)
Bartholomew Barn (2016)
WISE Building David Lea and Pat Borer (2010)
King’s School Boathouse by Associated Architects. Photo by Martine Hamilton Knight
Credits
Climate Champions is produced in association with ACAN, the Architects’ Climate Action Network
Podcast produced and edited by Concept Culture
Music: Edmilson do Pífano, Forró de dois Amigos. Interpretation: Felipe Tanaka e banda Balaio de Baião