Hiraeth Architecture

We are pleased to share that Hiraeth Architecture and MWP have secured planning consent to convert and extend a prominent pair of Victorian Villas on the edge of the conservation area of Newtown, Powys to create 13 affordable homes. The existing bedsits, no longer fit for purpose, fell short of modern standards for adaptability and energy efficiency. The new development will replace these with high-quality flats that meet Lifetime Homes standards and the Welsh Government’s Design Quality Requirements, ensuring sustainable and adaptable living spaces for future residents. This project reflects our commitment to sustainable innovation and architectural excellence, delivering affordable homes designed to Passivhaus / EnerPHit standards. Employing a fabric-first approach and renewable technologies, the design prioritises energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and long-term resilience. Sensitive to the site’s historical context, the redevelopment enhances the existing architecture while addressing the critical need for high-quality, low-energy housing. This approach aligns with our practice values, setting a benchmark for affordable housing that supports both community well-being and environmental stewardship. Thanks to all our collaborators who contributed to this positive milestone, looking forward to seeing the works starting onsite soon. #Passivhaus #EnerPHit #SustainableDesign #AffordableHousing #ArchitecturalInnovation

Bringing a diverse range of experience and perspectives to the work we do #InternationalWomensDay provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the women who are fundamental to the success of our practice.   Data from the recent Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) survey by the ARB sadly highlights how far we still need to go to achieve gender equality in architecture. https://lnkd.in/eBEqgcr   At Hiraeth women make up over 60% of our team, supported by a culture that encourages positive change in Architecture through support, training and representation.   The women in our practice seek to drive further change. Through involvement as mentors with the Women in Architecture programme to support our peers, and as tutors for the next generation of women in architecture at University, we look to strengthen students in their career development and strive to be positive role models through continued learning and growth.    There is still a long way to go and we all must strive to #AccelerateAction https://lnkd.in/dGX7T8X #IWD2025 #Womeninarchitecture #Womeninconstruction #Accelerateaction #EDI #Equality #Diversity #Inclusion

Just in case you didn’t see our previous claims to success!! We’re really pleased that Uist House has been awarded in the Wood Awards 2024 alongside Koto Design and Unnos Systems/Kenton Jones. The final award of the night lulled us into thinking it was a long trip for nothing but excitingly the Wood Awards created a special category to recognise the project giving it the Research and Innovation Award.     Manufactured and substantially finished in Welshpool, Usit House was transported as 7 modules, via land and sea, to the remote and extraordinary Hebridean island of Uist. As Technical Architect for this scheme, the detail of the built fabric was our focus and expertise – ensuring that through carefully designed junctions, both the sustainable aspirations and aesthetic vision of Koto Design and the client was achieved. This was delivered, whilst also breaking the building up into robust, waterproof, liftable and transportable parts. In this case the building had to contend with being moved some 600 miles, and the modules were designed specifically to fit the transportation limitations of the island ferry.    Uist House utilises the Ty Unnos system - developed by director Rob Thomas during his PhD, in collaboration with specialist timber frame manufacturer and contractor Kenton Jones and other academic and industrial partners. The building meets passive house standards in terms of building fabric performance, far exceeding building regs levels for airtightness and thermal performance and seeks to minimise embodied carbon with all primary structures being constructed from bespoke engineered timber box beams pumped with cellulose insulation. This structural approach is unique in the volumetric industry with many systems relying on steel for their stiffness. The resultant construction approach offers a low embodied carbon fabric manufactured within a carefully controlled factory environment, minimising waste and delivering exceptional quality, free of the challenges of construction in one of the harshest environments in the UK.    We are delighted to have received this award and to be recognised within a truly exceptional collection of work. We really look forward to continuing our collaboration with Koto Design, Unnos Systems/Kenton Jones & Paramount Structures Ltd

'National' Winner in the Regeneration & Retrofit category at the Constructing Excellence awards, the Hafod Copperworks scheme celebrates the industrial heritage of Swansea, ‘brings new industry and visitors to the area, promotes learning and understanding of the region’s past, and injects energy and creativity for the future economy of the city.’ [https://lnkd.in/eHbYtAVY] Hiraeth were Conservation Advisors for the major fit out phase for the Penderyn Distillery, guiding on proposed designs, specifications and producing the associated heritage impact assessments to facilitate and justify the installation of the distillery equipment. This has enabled this key building to be brought back into a new and relevant industrial use, and it was great to deliver these works in association with:   Penderyn Distillery / City & County of Swansea / GWP Architecture / Hydrock, now Stantec / John Weaver Contractors LTD / TC Consult Ltd / Archer Humphryes Architects / Black Mountains Archaeology Ltd / Holloway Partnership / EXPEDITE / Green Hat Consulting / Mann Williams Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers / GJP | Town Planning & Development Consultancy

Great to see footage of our designs for the Grade II* listed Gnoll Country Park taking shape. Funded by UK Government the parkland is receiving significant investment for a new visitor centre, alongside important conservation work. #architecture #parkland #visitorcentre #heritage

Hiraeth’s Rob Thomas will be presenting at SO Modular Ltd’s Open House this Thursday: ‘Keeping Building with Timber in a Steel and Masonry World’. A great day focused on timber frame, MMC, design and off-site manufacturing, in partnership with CABE, and a chance to meet exhibitors and take a tour of SO Modular Ltd’s state of the art factory. Other speakers at the event: David Lomax of Waugh Thistleton Architects Alwyn Rowlands at Creu Architecture Jonathan Davies of Spring Design Rob Wheaton of Stride Treglown Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) (AECB) Association for Environment Conscious Building LETI Passivhaus Trust UK Architects Declare UK NZC Buildings Standard #timberframe, #MMC

We are really pleased to see the project for Neath’s Gnoll Park reach an important milestone as work starts on site with Andrew Scott Ltd appointed as principal contractor. Funded by UK Government, it has taken a massive effort from all parties to see this project to this stage. We are really proud to be a key part of it and can’t wait for the new visitor centre to take shape, the former Gnoll House ruins sensitively conserved, and Pond Cottage brought to life again as holiday accommodation.    Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council / Andrew Scott Ltd / Jubb / Davies Landscape Architects / Asbri Planning / McCann and Partners Ltd

The afternoon breakout sessions have proven extremely popular. Rob Thomas from Hiraeth Architecture opened up Timber 101 with Dan Ridley-Ellis from Edinburgh Napier University exploding some myths about home grown timber, and Phil O'Leary from Filros Timber Consultancy shining a light on what we mean by quality. There were lessons on visual grading from Phil and Dr Morwenna Spear from the BioComposites Centre,Bangor University gave a lesson on moisture in timber and different types of wood modification. The room was absolutely packed, with everyone taking a keen interest in the discussions and learning from experts. #WoodBUILD2024 #Timber #Forestry