Moira House
Master planning
Heritage school transformed into
carbon-neutral homes, blending
conservation with sustainable,
edge-of-park design
Heritage school transformed into carbon-neutral homes, blending conservation with sustainable, edge-of-park design
Heritage-led, net-zero design
The school’s finest architectural features were carefully preserved and repurposed. New homes were designed to meet ambitious energy targets through airtight construction, MVHR, and heat pumps, without compromising beauty or buildability.
Listening to the place and people
The original street pattern and landscape informed the layout and design. Ecotecture engaged early and often with local residents and planners, helping the project receive over 40 letters of support.
Edge-of-park sensitivity
Located adjacent to the South Downs National Park, the site demanded a careful awareness. Low lighting, native planting, and a subtle, place-sensitive palette ensure the new homes sit in the landscape naturally.
Heritage-led, net-zero design
The school’s finest architectural features were carefully preserved and repurposed. New homes were designed to meet ambitious energy targets through airtight construction, MVHR, and heat pumps, without compromising beauty or buildability.
Listening to the place and people
The original street pattern and landscape informed the layout and design. Ecotecture engaged early and often with local residents and planners, helping the project receive over 40 letters of support.
Edge-of-park sensitivity
Located adjacent to the South Downs National Park, the site demanded a careful awareness. Low lighting, native planting, and a subtle, place-sensitive palette ensure the new homes sit in the landscape naturally.
Moira House was a well-known progressive girls’ school in Eastbourne, set on an elevated plot at the edge of the South Downs. The redevelopment brief was as complex as it was exciting: restore the historic buildings, create new low-energy homes, and honour a much-loved local landmark.
With extensive knowledge in both conservation and sustainable design, Ecotecture was appointed as architect and design lead by property developer James Taylor to reimagine the site as a vibrant, carbon-neutral community.
1. The Challenge
A complex, heritage-
rich site with public
interest
A complex, heritage- rich site with public interest
Moira House wasn’t just a school – it was a local institution. Many former pupils had fond memories of the site, and its prominent location overlooking the town meant it was under close community and planning scrutiny.
The developer needed a design team that could handle the heritage sensitivity, create high-performance homes, and confidently lead discussions with planners and the public.
In James, our client’s words: “When I thought about who could genuinely understand historic buildings and be forward-thinking, Jo immediately came to mind. She’s one of the few architects who really listens – to both buildings and people.”
Moira House wasn’t just a school – it was a local institution. Many former pupils had fond memories of the site, and its prominent location overlooking the town meant it was under close community and planning scrutiny.
The developer needed a design team that could handle the heritage sensitivity, create high-performance homes, and confidently lead discussions with planners and the public.
In James, our client’s words: “When I thought about who could genuinely understand historic buildings and be forward-thinking, Jo immediately came to mind. She’s one of the few architects who really listens – to both buildings and people.”
2. The Solution
Authentic,
collaborative design
Authentic, collaborative design
Jo and the Ecotecture team approached the project with
openness and respect. Rather than imposing a ‘house style’,
they responded to the character of the buildings and
landscape, retaining the best of the school’s features and
ensuring new elements felt grounded, not pastiche.
The homes were designed to be net-zero in use, with low-
carbon technologies, smart detailing, and a clear-eyed
approach to buildability and comfort.
Just as importantly, Jo was a trusted partner throughout.
James explains, “She has this rare mix of technical skill,
genuine love of architecture, and zero ego. If someone on the
team had a better idea, she’d be the first to celebrate it. That
made the whole process collaborative and enjoyable.”
Jo and the Ecotecture team approached the project with openness and respect. Rather than imposing a ‘house style’, they responded to the character of the buildings and landscape, retaining the best of the school’s features and ensuring new elements felt grounded, not pastiche.
The homes were designed to be net-zero in use, with low-carbon technologies, smart detailing, and a clear-eyed approach to buildability and comfort.
Just as importantly, Jo was a trusted partner throughout. James explains, “She has this rare mix of technical skill, genuine love of architecture, and zero ego. If someone on the team had a better idea, she’d be the first to celebrate it. That made the whole process collaborative and enjoyable.”
3. The Result
A community-focused
scheme with quiet
confidence
A community-focused scheme with quiet confidence
The project received widespread community support – almost unheard of for a development of this scale. With construction now underway, the homes are set to offer something rare: heritage charm with future-ready performance, designed to be both beautiful and practical for modern life.
“It works because Jo listens. She understood the brief, the setting, and the long-term view. These homes will be good to live in, and good for the planet – and that’s the best kind of legacy for a site like this.”
The project received widespread community support – almost unheard of for a development of this scale. With construction now underway, the homes are set to offer something rare: heritage charm with future-ready performance, designed to be both beautiful and practical for modern life.
“It works because Jo listens. She understood the brief, the setting, and the long-term view. These homes will be good to live in, and good for the planet – and that’s the best kind of legacy for a site like this.”
Looking for an experienced
master planning architect to develop a
sensitive site?
Choose Ecotecture. Check out our architecture services here, or contact us to get started.
Looking for an experienced
master planning architect to develop a sensitive site?
Choose Ecotecture. Check out our architecture services here, or contact us to get started.