Meet your host, Chris and Ana Having previously lived in a Grade 2 listed barn conversion, Ana and Chris jumped at the opportunity to build their dream house in a great location near Cambridge. Occupying 1 of 8 self-build plots, their Passivhaus-inspired super energy efficient home was completed in 2022...
Olly, an Architect and Certified Passivhaus Designer, set out to transform this once awkward & draughty 1920s gas-fired home into a delightful passivhaus-inspired haven suited to modern living.
As NHS doctors, Emily and Alex regularly saw the impact of the climate crisis on health and were determined to create a home that embraced more of nature on their doorstep. Retrofitting this 1950s bungalow has enabled them to experiment with a greener way of living, from significantly reducing their...
As an architectural designer, Emily is passionate about improving the spatial and thermal functions of homes, which she has now applied to retrofitting her own family home. See how her standard 1930s terraced house has been transformed into a joyous, spacious, low energy family home, boosting both comfort and quality...
Gain valuable advice and inspiration from our DIY Eco Home expert, Bart Hommels, who will guide you through various cost-effective measures to put in place for the winter and help to save on your bills.
Residents and architects of the award winning Marmalade Lane, completed in 2018 and featured in our 2019 event listings, are back to show us how this co-housing scheme has succeeded for the community, how the houses have performed 'off gas', and what lessons have been learnt for all.
Of particular interest to those concerned with social housing, mental health services and sustainable communities, these modular homes offer a complete approach to short term tenancy needs for aiding people with a risk of homelessness. Built to last a lifetime, each home can be made, delivered, and fitted quickly, providing...
Our panel of experts and experienced owners are here to guide you through a range of low carbon heating options that can be installed in homes like yours. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and to consider what might work best for you.
Join three hosts from some of our most popular properties over the last 10 years, to hear what they have learnt, what they would do differently and about all their successes in carbon and energy reduction.
Build your confidence to create your own eco home by ‘borrowing’ a ‘book’ at our human library event. The human library format is great for discussing 1:1 queries and getting personal advice. The event will include installers, experts and Open Eco Home owners with a variety of experience, ideas and...
This event will explore both how communities can work together to develop their own renewable community energy generation schemes, and how communities can help each other through the process of retrofitting, to support the transition to comfortable, cost-effective homes that are good for us and the planet.
Are you thinking of retrofitting your home? The Cambridge Retrofit Guide is there to help you get started. In this free online talk Alex Towler from Transition by Design, one of the authors of the guide, will explain how it can help you.
Mark had always wanted a building project, so when he and his wife decided that their 1950s bungalow needed to be upgraded in 2013, little did he know that he would end up embarking on an incredible decade-long DIY journey of complete home transformation. The result: profound improvements to comfort,...
Two homes, two neighbours with a shared love of location and environmental goals, work together to turn their historical buildings into comfortable and beautiful homes fit for the 21st Century. Meet our hosts who will conduct a tour of each property back to back in one unique opportunity.
With a vision to transform their detached 1950s house into a comfortable, low energy home within which to happily retire, Gill and Tom have spent over 15 years thoughtfully renovating their home, shrinking their energy bills and solving many issues along the way.
How to prepare for heatwaves so that you and your home stay cool and comfortable, even when it gets really hot. . Lots of detailed suggestions, many of which are low-cost
