Fox-Groves Architecture

23/05/2026

Are you ready for the bank holiday heatwave? ☀️

With the rising temperatures it’s important that our homes are designed to keep cool in the summer as well as staying warm in the winter.

A Passivhaus is designed for comfort and, using clever design strategies, appropriate materials and accurate energy modelling (using PHPP), help to keep buildings cooler in the summer.

Please get in touch to see how we can help realise your Passivhaus, EnerPHit or AECB CarbonLite project, whether it’s a new-build or retrofit.

24/04/2026

I recently visited Bologna and was happy to have stumbled across a showroom designed by the incredible Carlo Scarpa. One of only two stores he designed (the other being the Olivetti showroom on Piazza San Marco in Venice). Unfortunately, it was closed so I didn't get a chance to explore inside.

Carlo Scarpa was an Italian Architect known as "the master of detail", blending modernity with tradition and craftmanship. The majority of his work is located in the Veneto region of Italy, which some great examples in Venice.

This project was for the Gavina showroom; to create a "temple of furniture". The façade features a textured concrete plane with monumental windows, drawing the views of passers by, with gold detailing providing contrast.

24/04/2026

09/02/2026

As a Certified Passive House Designer and AECB CarbonLite Graduate, we are experts in deep retrofit projects.

09/02/2026

Throwback to an art-deco inspired single-storey rear extension and zinc dormer loft conversion we designed in South Tonbridge

05/11/2025

Sneak peek at some initial sketches for a low-energy retrofit, reconfiguration and extension to a 1960s detached house for which we've recently been instructed.

The house hasn't been touched since the 1970s and is in desperate need of modernisation. The house also neighbours a Listed Building and is within a conservation area, so any proposals will need to be sensitive to this.

The significant energy improvements include: new external insulation and high-performance windows, new well-insulated roof structure and high levels of air tightness (to keep the heat in) as well as low-carbon technologies such as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) and solar panels.

As a Certified Passivhaus Designer, we will be developing the proposals with the Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) and are targeting the Carbonlite Retrofit Standard meaning that it will need very little energy to heat and use.

23/09/2025

Here is one of several design options for the replacement of an existing poor-quality conservatory and reconfiguration of the internal space. Scroll to the end to see the existing photo (source: Rightmove).

The extension has built-in bench seating and a large, south-facing sliding window to provide views and connections with the extensive garden. The projecting frame of the window provides solar shading and a planter to bring the outside, in.

The client is a skilled carpenter and intends to carry out much of the work himself. We are intending to submit a planning application later this year.

Please do get in touch to see how we can help with your project.
[email protected]
07792678564

05/08/2025

Another 5-star Google Review from a client in Bramhall, who have recently provided this progress photo.

"We instructed Michael to draw up some single storey extension plans for us.

"Following an initial call when we explained our key requirements, he came back to us with two extension options and a re-configuration of our current space (which we hadn't thought was an option) but which ticked all of our boxes.

"We decided to progress with the re-configuration which saved us a significant amount of money and we are very happy with the outcome!"

Re-using, but upgrading, much of the existing old extension reduced the project costs and it's environmental impact, whilst meeting their requirements.

I completed the concept design, planning application and Building Regulations design.

Please get in touch to see how I can help with your project.

www.fg-architecture.com
[email protected]
07792678564

03/06/2025

We've recently received planning approval (ahead of schedule) for this large extension to a new-build home in a rural development near Paddock Wood.

The client needed more living space for their growing family, which the extension achieves, whilst also minimising structural alterations to the existing house. The client also intends to build sustainability, with energy performance targets in excess of Building Regulations requirements and reusing existing windows where possible.

These are some sketches of the approved scheme, with the rear wall of the extension stepped to reduce it's impact and utilising brickwork and weatherboarding to match the existing house whilst keeping the volumetric increase as low as possible due to planning restrictions.

03/04/2025

We've recently been working on a project to reconfigure and improve an existing home in Pembury which had previously been extended, but has a cellular layout and dark rooms which don't suit the client's needs.