In January 2026 we started work on a full renovation, reconfiguration and sustainable upgrade of a period home at Oak Road, in a conservation area in North Leeds.
The brief is to restore the house to its former glory while bringing it fully up to date, with long-term efficiency designed in from the start. It is the kind of project that needs both sensitivity to the building's character and real technical rigour.
The planned works
- Wall and roof upgrades
- Basement upgrades
- Passivhaus-standard conservation sash windows
- An air source heat pump
- Solar panels
- A substantial dormer extension
Stripping back
By March the property had been completely stripped back. The rear roof was carefully removed to make way for the new dormer, a significant moment in what will be a transformative build.
By the end of March the original windows had been removed ready for their triple-glazed replacements, and work on the basement was underway.
Why this approach
Older homes in conservation areas can still reach very high standards of comfort and efficiency. The trick is combining careful upgrades to the fabric with details that respect the street. It is the same thinking behind our article on upgrading an existing home to Passive House standards.
If you own a period property in Leeds and want to make it warmer and cheaper to run, talk to us about a sustainable renovation and retrofit.
