Build Sustainable Awards 2016

Build 2016 Sustainable Building Awards 58 Company: Paul Testa Architecture Ltd Name: Paul Testa Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.paultestaarchitecture.co.uk aul Testa Architecture is the practice of emerging architect Paul Testa, working alongside two talented designers, Julie and Monika. Paul talks us through the firm’s service offering and the unique features which set it apart. “Here at Paul Testa Architecture we work on a variety of projects, from small extensions through to new-build houses in sensitive locations. We pride ourselves on our ability to understand and develop our clients’ brief and to deliver beautiful, bespoke architecture that also performs with excellent thermal comfort and air-quality. We have also had a lot of success gaining planning approval on difficult sites.” “Our work is almost all with private individuals on domestic projects for themselves and family members. Our approach to all of these projects is to give them something that will be comfortable and low cost to run for the life of the building. We apply the Passivhaus design methodology to all our projects, even when we are not aiming for certification, so that we can ensure our designs perform as we intend them to.” In his concluding comments Paul talks us through the firm’s future project and how these will help it to build upon its current success and enhance its already considerable collective knowledge. “Looking ahead, we have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline which we are very much looking forward to. We are starting to develop our first larger housing scheme of 10 dwellings on a site to the North of Sheffield. The proposal is for these to be custom-build houses that are properly affordable and that can be built to the Passivhaus standard. The custom aspect will deliver homes that suit the individual occupants and add a rich texture to the street. Prefabrication will form a large part of the build to minimize site work and waste. There isn’t any reason why affordable housing can’t deliver architectural character and high performance and we’re really excited to be working with such an enlightened developer on this project.” Sustainable Architects of the Year - South Yorkshire & BUILD Excellence Award in Passivhaus Projects - South Yorkshire Paul Testa Architecture is a small practice based in Sheffield which specialises in high quality, high performance domestic design projects. We invited Owner Paul to talk us through the practice and provide us with an insight into the secrets behind its success. P AR160033 “We also have six bespoke new-build houses in the pipeline that are at varying stages in the process. Whilst they are all very different in their design approach they are all at, or very close to, Passivhaus levels of performance. We’re very pleased to demonstrate that site specific, beautiful architecture can, without compromise, be low energy and high comfort.”