Sustainable Design Q&A with Studio Becoming Founder Rory Harmer
Sustainability and thoughtful design are at the heart of modern architecture, but what does it really mean to create a home that’s both beautiful and environmentally responsible?
In this exclusive Q&A, we spoke with Rory Harmer, Founder of London practice Studio Becoming, to explore how sustainable principles shaped the transformation of a 1930s detached house in Frome, Somerset.
From embracing Passivhaus principles to balancing heritage with innovation, Rory shares the inspiration, challenges, and creative decisions behind this striking retrofit project. He reveals how he combined architectural ingenuity with a commitment to low-impact living, crafting a family home that not only respects its past but looks boldly toward a regenerative future.
Can you tell us about the history of the property and its location in Frome?
The property is a 1930s detached house situated in Frome, Somerset. Originally built with a pyramidal-hipped roof, the property reflects the architectural character of its era, which typically emphasised symmetry, solid construction, and well-proportioned internal spaces. When we purchased the house, it had been empty for more than two years and was in desperate need of renovation.
Frome is well known for its historic market town charm, creative community, and commitment to sustainability and independent businesses. Backing onto Victoria Park, one of Frome’s central green spaces, the property benefits from a strong connection to nature, offering a balance between urban convenience and a more tranquil setting.
Given its central location, 1930s character, and adjacency to green space, the home presented a unique opportunity to retrofit an existing house in a way that balances sustainability and contemporary design—ensuring its long-term relevance as a home that both respects its past and embraces the future.
What inspired your architectural vision for the home?
The transformation of this home is inspired by two key ideas: the subtle yet powerful design language of a house renovation in Tonnarella by Bodar Bottega D'Architettura, and the urgent need to live more sustainably in a changing climate.
The small house renovation in Tonnarella beautifully reinterprets traditional architecture through a contemporary lens, using light, materiality, and form to create a home that is both rooted in place and forward-thinking. Much like this Sicilian project, our vision embraces the idea of rethinking an existing structure rather than a new build, thus, reducing waste.
Alongside this architectural inspiration, the design is also shaped by a commitment to sustainability and the realities of climate-conscious living.
We have prioritised a fabric-first approach, focusing on thermal efficiency, airtightness, and natural materials to significantly reduce energy consumption and embodied energy. Passivhaus principles have guided our decisions, ensuring the home not only operates efficiently but also provides a comfortable, low-impact living environment for years to come.
A key driver of the design is the play of natural light and its role in shaping the experience of the home. We wanted to create dynamic, evolving spaces where the changing light patterns throughout the day enhance the relationship between the inhabitants and the outdoors.
The front façade of the home is envisioned as a contemporary interpretation of the local vernacular—respecting the fabric of Frome while introducing a refined, contemporary expression.
Ultimately, the project is about transforming the existing house into a sustainable, light-filled, and contextually responsive home—a design that not only respects its past but also embraces a regenerative future, demonstrating that beautiful, thoughtful architecture and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
How would you describe the interior design style, and what makes it meaningful to you?
What makes this design meaningful is its balance between function, sustainability, and beauty. The interior design embodies a relaxed British-Scandi aesthetic, combining simplicity, warmth, and natural materials to create a home that feels both inviting and refined.
At its core, this style prioritises light, texture, and a sense of calm, resulting in an effortlessly comfortable yet contemporary space. A neutral palette, with white-washed walls and reflective tiles, maximises natural light, enhancing the connection between indoors and out.
The robustness of a contemporary concrete floor grounds the design, providing durability while adding a modern edge that contrasts beautifully with the softer, organic elements of the space. Every material choice and design decision was made to create a home that feels authentic, personal, and deeply connected to our journey.
Were there any non-negotiable elements in your design process?
Our design process was inherently flexible, adapting as needed. That’s the reality of a retrofit project—there are always unexpected discoveries. Rather than rigidly sticking to an initial plan, we embraced the journey of the build, allowing the design to respond to the home itself.
What remained non-negotiable, however, was our commitment to quality, sustainability, and crafting a home that feels truly connected to its place.
Every change was considered in relation to the bigger picture—ensuring that materials, spatial flow, and the natural light all worked together to create a space that feels effortless, balanced, and beautifully crafted.
How did sustainability influence the home’s design?
Sustainability was at the heart of the design, influencing every decision from the outset. Our approach was twofold—reducing energy in use and minimising embodied energy, ensuring the home is not only highly efficient but also built with a responsible material footprint.
We adopted Passivhaus principles throughout the design and construction process, carefully modelling the home’s energy performance using the Passivhaus PHPP tool. This allowed us to optimise insulation, airtightness, and ventilation, ensuring the home met the rigorous standards required for exceptional thermal efficiency and comfort.
We referenced tried-and-tested Passivhaus details, prioritising high-performance building techniques, and made key investment choices—most notably in triple-glazed windows, which significantly improve thermal performance while also enhancing acoustic insulation.
By integrating these sustainability-driven choices, the home is designed to consume minimal energy, maintain stable internal temperatures year-round, and provide a healthy, comfortable living environment—proving that high-performance, low-energy retrofit homes can be both beautiful and functional.
What drew you to ABI Interiors? Why the combination of brushed nickel and white finishes?
We were drawn to ABI Interiors for their modern, clean aesthetic, which aligns perfectly with our British-Scandi design vision. Their products balance simplicity, elegance, and functionality, making them an ideal fit for the refined yet relaxed atmosphere we wanted to create.
The composite basins and Odelia Solid Surface Free Standing Bath stood out to us for their understated sophistication, seamlessly integrating into our material palette while maintaining a sense of warmth and tactility.
When it came to finishes, we initially considered an all-white palette but found it felt too stark and minimal—almost too ‘Miami Vice’ for the character of the home. Instead, we opted for brushed nickel throughout most of the house, as its timeless, subtle sheen adds just the right amount of depth and warmth. We kept the white tapware in the guest WC, where the smaller space suited a more minimalist approach.
This combination of brushed nickel and white, alongside the textured tiling, strikes a perfect balance—offering a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic that enhances the home’s relaxed, curated feel.
Can you tell us about your plans for the garden and outdoor spaces?
Our vision for the garden is to create a multi-functional, biodiverse, and edible landscape that seamlessly extends the home’s living spaces into the outdoors. The design will balance relaxation, play, and productivity, ensuring it is both a beautiful and functional extension of the home.
The garden will be divided into three key areas: A space to relax and entertain, a dedicated area for our daughter, and a kitchen garden for growing and harvesting food.
At the heart of the design is a commitment to maximising biodiversity, with pollinator-friendly planting, diverse edible species, and a naturalistic approach that supports wildlife while maintaining a strong aesthetic connection to the house.
What was the biggest challenge you encountered during the renovation?
A significant hurdle was installing the Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, a key component of Passivhaus design. Retrofitting this system into an existing home was difficult because it requires ducting to every room, and the unit itself is large and bulky.
Finding space for the system meant making some compromises on ceiling heights on the ground floor and adjusting the layout of bathroom fittings to accommodate the necessary ductwork.
What advice would you give to first-time renovators and builders?
Engage an Architect – An architect can maximise your existing space, bring fresh ideas, and orchestrate your vision into reality, ensuring the best possible outcome for your home.
Expect to Compromise & Embrace It – Rather than resisting change, use it to refine the design. Be open to adjustments, as these refinements will often result in a home that feels more intuitive and considered. Just be aware, changes on-site during construction can cost more so timing is everything.
Prioritise a Fabric-First Approach – Focus on reducing energy use before adding renewables. Invest in high-quality insulation, airtightness, and efficient triple glazing first, as this will have the greatest impact on long-term energy savings and comfort. Once the home is optimised, look to renewables like solar panels or heat pumps to further enhance sustainability.
Choose Natural, Low-Carbon Materials – Opt for tactile, natural materials that provide warmth and comfort while minimising embodied carbon. Well-chosen materials age gracefully over time, creating a home that feels better the longer you live in it.
Design as a Team – Work collaboratively with your partner and architect, ensuring no one designs in isolation. Keep communication open and transparent, balancing ideas and compromises. The give and take with your partner is key—their perspective will shape the home just as much as yours, making the final design more meaningful and shared.
What does ‘home’ mean to you, and how do you create that feeling in a space?
For me and my partner, home is a place of gathering, warmth, and connection. It’s where we share roast dinners, catch up on our day, play with our daughter, and cosy up by the fire.
More than just a place to return to after work, our home is an extension of ourselves and our partnership—a reflection of our values, our personalities, and the things that bring us joy.
As an architect, creating this feeling starts with listening. A true sense of home isn’t imposed—it’s discovered through a thoughtful, collaborative process, where the people who will live in the space are an integral part of the design. By understanding how they live, what they value, and what makes them feel at ease, we craft homes that are deeply personal and intuitive.
Creating a sense of home is about designing spaces that adapt to daily life, feel warm and inviting, and allow people to be themselves. Home is where life happens—and that’s what makes it truly meaningful.
For more home design inspiration, read our blogs:
The Foxes Maltings: Q&A With Owner-Builders Zara and Giuliano
How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Home? We Explore Room-By-Room Refurbishment Costs
