The challenge of a generation, but we can get there together.

Innovative and informed building design consultancy

The challenge of addressing climate change is the most pressing of our time, and at QODA we are placing net zero carbon at the centre of our designs.

Buildings are complex, a set of inter-relating systems and components, more like a biological organism than a set of parts. Our building physics and building services teams work together with design partners to reduce complexity and make use of natural energy flows to help regulate buildings, designing out waste and inefficiency.

Our aim is for building users and occupants that are genuinely delighted with their created spaces with zero impact on the natural environment. All human activity should be circular in nature and buildings are a key part of that. We work to ensure that both embodied and operational carbon emissions are zero, or as close to it as is feasible for our clients and their buildings, sites, and campuses.

At QODA we think there is no more important task than the creation of amazing human spaces which, rather than degrading it, contribute positively to their wider natural and human environment.

Case studies

Church of England, Pilot Study

QODA were appointed to undertake a pilot study of four heritage buildings for the Church of England, ranging from C17 to 1960s construction. Using a combination of careful site surveys, existing utility data and building energy models of each site, we identified a range of interventions for each house type, and rated them for CO2-saving potential and viability in a sensitive heritage context, as well as for disruption to building occupants. For each site we calculated likely reduction in carbon footprint, against a ‘do-nothing’ baseline (the amount of CO2 the building would emit if it were simply operated in 2030 as it is today).
University of the West of England (UWE) SAP3

QODA have been appointed as part of the design team lead by architects Stride Treglown, for the UWE SAP3 project which consists of the development of a new 2000 bedroom student accommodation scheme. We have been appointed primarily as the Passivhaus and sustainability consultants on the project, having previously worked with the university to produce a sustainability design guide helping to address their 2030 zero carbon targets. QODA are also appointed for MEP duties which are being carried out as part of a joint venture between ourselves and another consultant. One of the key drivers we are working on is the requirement for the project to meet Passivhaus standards, as well as looking forward to how the project can help facilitate the ability for the university to achieve its end goal of being zero carbon by 2030. The project is also being carried out to full BIM level 2 requirements.
Residential Development, London Borough of Ealing

The London Borough of Ealing have commenced an extensive programme of residential development across the borough. This exciting masterplan includes a number of sites (currently 10) which have been divided into 3 packages for design and construction purposes. QODA have been appointed as MEP designers for Package 3 and have also secured a role across all 3 packages as Net Zero Carbon Champions. We will be employing Passivhaus modelling and assessment to inform the design and deliver Ealing’s commitment to carbon reduction. Ealing are developing their net zero carbon design guide and have identified Certified Passivhaus building as a key part of its strategy.
Kennedy Building, University of Oxford

QODA are the Passivhaus and M&E consultants for the rooftop extension at the University of Oxford. Rather than simply replicating the existing façade, we have developed an alternative design with the architect which greatly reduces heating and cooling demands, as well as achieving excellent internal daylight and comfort. As a result, the building is close to achieving Passivhaus performance. QODA have also inputted into the detailing of the building to deliver an “Airtight Design”, while ensuring that junctions are buildable and thermally robust.

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THINKING ABOUT...

Biographies

Sarah Price

As an Technical Director Sarah has over a decade of experience in the construction industry and specialises in Passivhaus, sustainability, low energy buildings, and retrofit. Sarah has worked on over 90 certified Passivhaus dwellings across the country including the first Passivhaus leisure centre, and the construction stage of the largest Passivhaus development in the UK. She has worked with Decarbonsiation Fund projects, and with many clients helping them meet their climate emergency targets, and delivering a route to zero carbon.

She is a Chartered Engineer, an AECB expert advisor, and AECB Carbonlite Retrofit Assessor, and a member of the Retrofit Steering Task Group set up after the Each Home Counts review. Sarah also has a RICS Certificate in Construction Project Management and is BSRIA Soft Landings Framework Trained.

Sarah is the technical author for PAS 2035:2019 and PAS 2030 retrofit standard amendments (2021), and the lead technical author for the BEIS Retrofit IWI guide, published (2021). She was the co-author for the Passivhaus Trust’s Technical Guidance on Airtightness (2020) and the technical author for the retrofit standard (2020).

Susan Hone-Brookes

Susan is experienced at leading sustainability teams and key accounts, offering strategic sustainability advice, creating bespoke ‘sustainability tool kits’ for clients, and creating companywide strategies for ESG development. She is knowledgeable in circular economy principles and has worked on many leading commercial developments seeking planning under the London Plan principles. Furthermore, she is a qualified NABERS assessor and has worked in of energy monitoring and analysis for several years, creating comprehensive energy and carbon solutions for large acute hospital and school designs. Susan previously spent six years on the board of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as Vice President, where she took a lead role in updating the institution’s Sustainability Guide L:2020. She supports the Technology Group and ongoing board group work. Susan was on the steering group which helped formulate the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors ‘Whole life carbon assessment for the Built Environment’. She also led the Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership (i3P), which successfully developed a technology roadmap for the construction industry, which was a key part of securing the UK’s first ‘Construction Sector Deal’. Additionally, Susan was Chief Engineer for the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), advising government, industry, and academic institutions on transforming and adopting new technologies.

Katie Clemence-Jackson

Katie is experienced in M&E design and sustainability consultancy, and is focussed on planning and delivering sustainable outcomes for built environment projects. She is passionate about decarbonising the built environment and developing net zero carbon designs and strategies.

Her view is that the most sustainable projects can demonstrate their sustainability in-use. She thinks holistically to develop strategies that are unique to the client and project requirements, and provide tangible benefits for building users, society, and the planet.

Katie applies a people-focussed approach to projects. She enjoys getting to know clients and their organisations, using this understanding to provide tailored support. She is a keen communicator and will work to ensure project teams are well-informed about the project strategy and wider sustainability themes.

In her role as Chair of CIBSE’s Technology Committee, Katie engages with emerging industry policies and can help clients navigate through a changing policy landscape.

Katie acts as the technical project managed for the UK Net Zero Carbon (NZC) Buildings Standard. In this role she liaises with industry experts to facilitate the development of industry-wide NZC targets, and manages delivery of the standard.

Andrew Fisher

Andrew has over 15 years’ experience working with national Contractors and Architects on numerous large-scale developments providing strategic sustainability and energy consultancy. He adopts a hands-on approach, supporting projects from conception, through construction to occupation. This includes working with suppliers, contractors, clients, and manufacturers to develop products and processes to achieve whole scheme solutions. Andrew also delivers formal training on both the Passivhaus Certified Tradesperson and Certified Designer courses.

Dushyant Karnik

As an Associate, Dushyant has a special interest in low energy building design and construction innovation, with experience across multiple sectors within the UK and India. With a strong background in architecture, renewable building services, and building physics, he has worked on several low energy and Passivhaus schemes across the UK. Dushyant believes in designing using the fabric first approach to deliver net zero developments while maintaining a balance between energy reduction, occupant comfort, and wellbeing. He specializes in decarbonisation of historic listed buildings and delivering sustainability strategies for new builds. He is also a certified Passivhaus designer and is part of the Passivhaus Trust’s “Cost of EnerPHit” technical working group. He is an AECB Building Standard and Retrofit Certifier. He also sits on the Barking and Dagenham Council’s Quality Review Panel, which provides independent, objective, expert advice on development proposals across the borough.

Find out more about the whole team