Our Ethos

Hawkes Architecture is a leading contemporary design studio founded on the ambition to pursue crafted sustainable architecture which has a unique sensitivity to its setting. We specialise in the design of exceptional quality Paragraph 84 isolated dwellings in the countryside.

The embodied energy study of the Crossway Passive House which was undertaken by Cambridge University back in 2009 provided an invaluable insight into the energy expended to build a uniquely designed house. This knowledge has underpinned the practice’s work ever since and has enabled all Hawkes projects to be exceptional in their energy conservation both in construction and in use.

At Hawkes Architecture we are passionate that our buildings feel rooted to the unique qualities of their individual place. We think it’s important to understand the specific characteristics of each site before determining what palette of materials and techniques are appropriate to compliment the architecture and landscape.

Our first principle when designing a new building is to look at the Fabric First and ensure that the energy required is minimised. Everything else flows from this first principle. Insulation aside, inclusion of a Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) system to provide a constant supply of fresh air while recovering the heat from extracted ‘stale’ air helps to reduce energy consumption and maintain healthy air quality within the home.

Since our inception, all Hawkes buildings have sought to follow the simple self-sufficiency mantra of “generate on site, use on site”. First we seek to reduce a building’s energy footprint with a highly insulated & airtight envelope. Then we look to grab as much free solar heating as possible. Only then do we look to blend a variety of renewable energy resources best placed to serve the building.

An average 3 bedroom house consumes around 15,000kWh per year. 80% of this energy is consumed for heating and hot water. Electricity only accounts for 20% of a house’s energy use. This is why we spend the majority of our time designing to reduce the need for heat! Design decisions we make to maximise insulation, enhance airtightness and minimise cold bridging, help to reduce a building’s need for heat.

Our passion to deliver homes of exceptional quality and unparalleled efficiency doesn’t stop once we hand over the keys. Only once a home is occupied is its performance and comfort really put to the test. It’s therefore imperative that we maintain an ongoing relationship with our clients and their homes, to ensure we understand how our buildings are performing in the real world.