Designing better homes, building healthier futures

THE ASPIRATION
Warmer homes, healthier living
As part of a wider consortium bid for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2, the Royal Borough of Kingston wanted to retrofit 66 properties to meet EPC C standards. The aim was to improve energy performance, eradicate damp and mould and enhance thermal comfort and indoor air quality – while ensuring full compliance with DESNZ, Trustmark and relevant funding criteria.

OUR RESPONSE
Retrofit, backed by end-to-end expertise
We are acting as Retrofit Assessor, Coordinator and Designer, drawing on our Building Surveying and Building Services Engineering expertise to lead assessment, design coordination, and funding compliance. We are delivering tailored external wall insulation (EWI) strategies across a range of property types, navigating complex challenges around planning permission, building control applications and changing building fabric.

The variation in housing archetypes demands technically robust, regulation-compliant drawings – aligned with Part L (thermal performance), Part F (ventilation) and the Building Safety Act. Many homes also require solar panel integration, triggering planning consent due to changes to the building’s external appearance.

We are also carrying out air tightness testing to ensure the homes meet thermal performance targets and reduce heat loss. Our Retrofit team is taking full ownership of programme tracking, stakeholder liaison and compliance with strict DESNZ KPIs, coordinating everything from design deadlines to Trustmark lodgements. With architectural input from our planning specialists, we are ensuring a smooth process from initial design to site readiness.

THE RESULT
66 homes ready for retrofit success
We are delivering fully compliant assessments, retrofit designs and Trustmark lodgements across all 66 homes, enabling the borough to unlock SHDF funding and move forward with confidence. The project successfully balances cost, compliance and design integrity, ensuring that every home is being prepared for low-disruption installation and long-term resident benefit. Work is ongoing and due to complete in September 2025.

THE LASTING IMPACT
Laying foundations for healthier housing
Our work enables Kingston to take a proactive step toward Net Zero goals, supporting residents with homes that are more energy efficient, comfortable and healthier to live in. By improving ventilation, air quality and insulation performance, our designs help to tackle damp and mould, and reduce the risk of future reoccurrence.

Find out more about our multidisciplinary approach.