9 Combers
Residential
Sculptural remodelling of a
soulless 1970s house into a warm,
low-energy family home
Sculptural remodelling of a soulless 1970s house into a warm, low-energy family home
Curves and performance using insulated concrete formwork (ICF)
Nudura insulated concrete formwork made the home’s flowing shapes possible while delivering excellent thermal efficiency and airtightness.
Whole-house retrofit for comfort
We wrapped the original building in continuous insulation, creating a cohesive exterior and dramatically improving energy performance. A full ‘thermal hug’ retrofit. We wrapped the home in insulation, improving comfort and street presence.
Solar energy and storage
Photovoltaic panels and battery storage allow the home to generate and store clean energy, cutting bills and carbon while reducing reliance on the grid.
Curves and performance using insulated concrete formwork (ICF)
Nudura insulated concrete formwork made the home’s flowing shapes possible while delivering excellent thermal efficiency and airtightness.
Whole-house retrofit for comfort
We wrapped the original building in continuous insulation, creating a cohesive exterior and dramatically improving energy performance. A full ‘thermal hug’ retrofit. We wrapped the home in insulation, improving comfort and street presence.
Solar energy and storage
Photovoltaic panels and battery storage allow the home to generate and store clean energy, cutting bills and carbon while reducing reliance on the grid.
What started as a cold, boxy, poorly laid-out 1970s house is now a sculptural, character-filled home full of warmth and natural light with strong eco credentials.
With two young children and a long list of practical needs, homeowners Rachel and Paul Dinneen wanted a home that would be joyful, energy-efficient, and unmistakably theirs.
Ecotecture delivered a two-phase retrofit and extension, combining sustainable performance with playful design details that continue to spark joy over a decade later.
1. The Challenge
An uninspiring beige-
box with no flow
An uninspiring beige box with no flow
The existing home was cellular and uninspiring. With young children, the owners needed a layout that made everyday life easier – somewhere the family could spend time together, with clear views to the garden and a warm, inviting feel throughout.
Speaking to homeowner Rachel, energy efficiency was non-negotiable, but so was joy: “We wanted to open the front door and smile,” the owner recalls. “It needed to feel like our home, not someone else’s.”
Although they had strong ideas about how the space should work, Rachel and her husband Paul weren’t sure how to translate that into a cohesive design. Jo at Ecotecture listened closely and helped unify different ideas into one bold, practical concept that instantly felt right.
The existing home was cellular and uninspiring. With young children, the owners needed a layout that made everyday life easier – somewhere the family could spend time together, with clear views to the garden and a warm, inviting feel throughout.
Speaking to homeowner Rachel, energy efficiency was non-negotiable, but so was joy: “We wanted to open the front door and smile,” the owner recalls. “It needed to feel like our home, not someone else’s.”
Although they had strong ideas about how the space should work, Rachel and her husband Paul weren’t sure how to translate that into a cohesive design. Jo at Ecotecture listened closely and helped unify different ideas into one bold, practical concept that instantly felt right.
2. The Solution
A practical retrofit
with creative flair
A practical retrofit with creative flair
Jo’s design reimagined the home’s layout, starting with the ground floor. A large, open-plan space with clear access to the garden gave the family the connection and visibility they needed. Upstairs, a reconfigured layout made space for an extra bathroom.
Using insulated concrete formwork (ICF), the extension added curved, sculptural elements that softened the home’s former boxiness and dramatically improved energy performance.
The project was delivered in two phases: first, the back of the house. The second stage added a striking entrance and a bold orange curved staircase – an unapologetically joyful feature the family still loves. Rachel says, “Everyone says ‘wow’ when they walk in.”
Throughout the process, Jo’s practical guidance and approachable style made everything feel manageable. In Rachel’s words, “We always knew what things would cost. She helped us plan the stages, find the right contractors, and ask the right questions. That made a huge difference.”
Jo’s design reimagined the home’s layout, starting with the ground floor. A large, open-plan space with clear access to the garden gave the family the connection and visibility they needed. Upstairs, a reconfigured layout made space for an extra bathroom.
Using insulated concrete formwork (ICF), the extension added curved, sculptural elements that softened the home’s former boxiness and dramatically improved energy performance.
The project was delivered in two phases: first, the back of the house. The second stage added a striking entrance and a bold orange curved staircase – an unapologetically joyful feature the family still loves. Rachel says, “Everyone says ‘wow’ when they walk in.”
Throughout the process, Jo’s practical guidance and approachable style made everything feel manageable. In Rachel’s words, “We always knew what things would cost. She helped us plan the stages, find the right contractors, and ask the right questions. That made a huge difference.”
3. The Result
A flexible family
home, full of heart
A flexible family home, full of heart
Even years later, the home still feels fresh and joyful, just as it was intended. From early sketches to energy strategy, this retrofit shows what’s possible when bold design meets practical sustainability.
“It’s definitely our house. It still works for us, even as life changes. The design was smart, sustainable, and full of personality. If we hadn’t loved it so much, we’d have done it again!”
We loved working with Rachel and Paul to bring their home vision to life.
Even years later, the home still feels fresh and joyful, just as it was intended. From early sketches to energy strategy, this retrofit shows what’s possible when bold design meets practical sustainability.
“It’s definitely our house. It still works for us, even as life changes. The design was smart, sustainable, and full of personality. If we hadn’t loved it so much, we’d have done it again!”
We loved working with Rachel and Paul to bring their home vision to life.
Are you looking for an architect
to design a home that’s truly yours?
Choose Ecotecture. Check out our architecture services here, or contact us to get started.
Are you looking for an
architect to design a home that’s truly yours?
Choose Ecotecture. Check out our architecture services here, or contact us to get started.