HEM Architects

01/06/2026

Have you thought about building your own home or maybe a significant extension and submitted a pre-app (or pre-application) before submitting a formal planning application?

Did you receive negative or unclear feedback on your pre-application?

Did this feedback mean you kicked your plans into the long grass and gave up on your dream home?

This can be a common occurrence. It’s understandable if you’ve felt deflated by negative feedback, losing the excitement you’d felt in getting your dream home and improving your life.

Here's an example of how we turned a negative pre-app into a positive for a new build home in Huddersfield.

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If you have had a negative pre-planning feedback or a planning refusal and want to kickstart your plans.

Then send us a Message through Messenger. We'd love to discuss your project with you.

28/05/2026

Energy costs are rising again. Is it time you acted?

With energy prices set to jump by 13% this July, the ongoing rising energy costs can feel relentless. But you don't have to settle for a cold home or high energy bills.

At HEM Architects we help give you freedom from increasing energy costs by focusing on your home’s fabric. It all starts with a clear plan:

Our Retrofit Strategy from £2,495 + VAT

We provide a bespoke, data-driven plan tailored to your home. This strategy identifies the most impactful improvements.

From smaller jobs to larger fabric upgrades and renewable heating systems we aim to ensure every pound you invest into your home lowers your bills and boosts your comfort.

Why Retrofit?

🏠️Stop paying to heat the outdoors through leaky walls and roofs.

🌬️Eliminate draughts and cold spots for a healthier living environment.

🔥Reduce the temperature of poorly insulated loft rooms or conservatories

💷Future-proof your home against further price hikes.

Don't wait for winter to feel the pinch. Start your journey toward a warmer, more sustainable home today by booking a call through our website. Link to our Retrofit Strategy webpage is in the comments.

27/05/2026

Our Project Architect and Part 2 Architectural Assistant or Junior Technologist roles close on Sunday 31 May.

At HEM Architects, we believe great design and a well-run business go hand in hand. We create thoughtful, well-crafted homes; but we don’t believe that should come with stress, long hours or constant firefighting.

We use clear systems, structured workflows and strong project leadership to deliver high-quality projects in a calm, organised way.

You’ll be joining a team that’s focused on doing great work in a structured, supportive and high-performing environment.

If you enjoy working like this, and want to take real ownership of your projects, we’d love to hear from you.

For our Project Architect role, we’re looking for someone who is confident leading projects and enjoys both design and delivery, particularly within the private residential sector.

You’ll likely have:

✅️ A minimum of 2 years’ post-Part 3 experience

✅️ Strong experience delivering private residential projects across all RIBA stages.

✅️ Experience working directly with homeowner clients and managing those relationships well.

✅️ The ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines through good planning and organisation.

✅️ Confidence building relationships with clients, consultants and team members.

We offer:

✅️ A competitive salary of £35,452 – £40,452 depending on experience

✅️ Flexible working hours

✅️ An opportunity to work on a range of transformation projects

To apply please submit your CV, portfolio and a short covering letter explaining why you’d like to join us via our Google forms by 6pm Sunday 31st May 2026. Link to the website for the two roles in the comments.

23/05/2026

Homebuilding & Renovating have shared the recent article we had on our extension and retrofit renovation in Ranmoor, Sheffield.

Blending modern style with Arts and Crafts charm, this renovated period home proves what’s possible with the right vision.

To see more photos, tap the link in the comments.

Photographer: Dug Wilders
Architect: HEM Architects

23/05/2026

Your garden is a valuable asset ⁠
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Most people don't realise that their garden could unlock potentially life changing amounts of value. ⁠
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Learn how you can do this with our step by step process to either get you planning permission to either sell or build your own dream home. ⁠

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Book a Project Prepartion meeting with us today for £199 + VAT if you’d like to build a dream home in your garden or like to release money for your retirement. ⁠
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Link in the bio / comments.

21/05/2026

Build your own Passivhaus from £230,000 ⁠
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We've recently been looking back at a Grand Designs competition entry from 2013 'Self Build on a Shoestring'. ⁠
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We entered a design for a 70m2 Passivhaus that could be built today for around £230,000.⁠
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The three bedroom home has a generous open-plan living/kitchen/diner and was designed to be really low energy - showing that a Passivhaus doesn't have to be expensive. ⁠
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The simple design approach taken to construction means the house could be easily built with basic joinery skills either on or off-site.⁠
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Floor Area - 70m2⁠
Base Specification / High Performance - Approx. £2,770/m2⁠
Annual Heating Demand - 14kWh/m2.a⁠
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If you're interested in building your own low energy home on a small budget then please get in contact using the contact form on our website. Link in the comments.

20/05/2026

In early 2013 Director Paul Testa moved into a 1970 semi in North Sheffield. ⁠
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It was a cold winter that year and he vowed not to live in the house another year without doing something about it.
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As with many of the best intentions, he didn’t finally start construction work on our project until 5 years later 2018!
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And he didn’t move back in until spring 2019.⁠
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Was the wait worth it?
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Definitely; the house, whilst still not finished (are the best projects ever complete?), is a delight.⁠
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Here are some of the benefits of his home following his retrofit renovation to a high level of thermal performance. ⁠
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If you'd like a home with low energy bills, that's healthy, warm and comfortable all year round then book a Project Preparation Meeting with us for £199+VAT through our website. Link in the comments.

19/05/2026

It's official! Homes built in gardens are award-winning. 🏆

A new-build home designed by Bricolage Projects recently won the 'Overall Winner of the AJ Small Projects Awards 2026'.

The story behind this project is inspiring: self-builders and architects Will and Sogand were looking for garden sites in South-East London to build their dream home.

They found a neighbour ready to sell their 35m-long rear garden for £200,000, who then used that life-changing income to fund their own bungalow conversion.

The resulting property is a modest three-bedroom house, but it is fantastically designed and highly energy-efficient—proving that garden homes can be architecturally beautiful and significant.

Unlike huge apartment blocks, it slots neatly into existing spaces in a gentle, low-impact way to create much-needed housing.

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At HEM Architects, we specialise in creating dream homes in gardens. Whether you want to sell a plot for a major financial boost or build your own bespoke dream home, we use an easy, three-step approach to make it happen.

Contact us today to book your free "Step 1" meeting and find out: Is it a reasonable idea? Link in the comments.

Architects and photos: Bricolage Projects / Will Howard
Structural Engineer: Simple Works

18/05/2026

Do you love leading and working on sustainable architecture?

We're hiring for:

Project Architect
Part 2 Architectural Assistant or Junior Technologist

For the Project Architect role we're looking for someone who is confident leading projects and enjoys both design and delivery, particularly within the private residential sector.

You’ll likely have:

✅️ A minimum of 2 years’ post-Part 3 experience.

✅️ Strong experience delivering private residential projects across all RIBA stages.

✅️ Experience working directly with homeowner clients and managing those relationships well.

✅️ The ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines through good planning and organisation.

✅️ Confidence building relationships with clients, consultants and team members.

✅️ A proactive approach; you spot issues early and take action.

✅️ An interest in sustainability and low-energy design.

Interested in applying? ⁠
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Please submit your CV, portfolio and a short covering letter explaining why you’d like to join us via our Google form on our webpage (link in the comments). ⁠
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Closing date midnight, Sunday 31st May 2026.⁠
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We're looking for the successful candidate to start as soon as possible and no later than July 1st.

16/05/2026

Stop looking for the cheapest architect quote.

In construction, the cheapest drawings usually lead to the most expensive builds.

If you’re planning a project, you should know that using a cheap architect who simply gives you what you think you need is likely to cost you more overall.

A high-quality architect may have a higher initial fee, but they will save you more over the course of your project and save you significant stress if things go wrong.

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If you want a great architect and a service that protects your investment, book a Project Preparation Meeting. For £199 + VAT, we will discuss your vision, identify potential risks, and help you establish a realistic path forward. Use the link in the bio to book your meeting and ensure your project starts on solid ground.