Our Crossabeg Passive House has been prominently featured in the latest edition of Passive House Plus magazine!
This in-depth 11-page article explains the intricacies of our project, presenting it as a comprehensive case study. It highlights our commitment to sustainable building practices and our ambitious goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions.
Discover how we have seamlessly integrated energy efficiency and innovative low-carbon solutions into this home. The article provides details about the design strategies and technologies that make this Passive House a model of sustainability.
This is a tremendous achievement that demonstrates our team’s hard work, creativity, and dedication to delivering exceptional architecture services to our clients.
Being selected as one of the 25 best architecture firms in Ireland is an incredible honor, and we are immensely proud to be a part of this prestigious list. We will continue to strive for excellence in all that we do, and we look forward to many more years of delivering exceptional architecture services to our clients.
The built environment plays a significant role in global energy consumption and carbon emissions. Buildings account for over 40% of energy use and 36% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. While these figures highlight the scale of the challenge, they also point to a clear opportunity: thoughtful design and well-informed decisions can make a meaningful difference.
For anyone planning a new build or a renovation, this isn’t just a policy discussion -it directly affects how a building performs, how comfortable it feels to live in, and how much energy it uses over time.
The Scale of Change Ahead
Across Europe, ambitious targets have been set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80–95% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. Progress has been made, but the pace now needs to increase significantly.
This shift is already influencing how buildings are designed, upgraded, and assessed. Regulations are evolving, and expectations around energy performance are becoming more demanding.
What This Means in Practice
In practical terms, there is a growing focus on getting the fundamentals right from the outset. This includes:
Prioritising the performance of the building fabric
Reducing energy demand before introducing systems
Designing with long-term durability and comfort in mind
Taking a considered approach to upgrading existing buildings
For many projects, particularly renovations, improving what already exists can have the greatest impact. This often involves balancing performance improvements with the character and constraints of the building.
This includes looking beyond individual elements and considering how materials, detailing, and construction methods work together as a whole.
Looking Ahead
The transition towards more sustainable buildings is ongoing, but the direction is clear. A performance-led approach – grounded in good design, careful detailing, and informed decision-making – will be key to delivering buildings that are efficient, comfortable, and built to last.
For those considering a project, whether a new build or the upgrade of an existing property, taking time to understand these aspects early on can make a significant difference to the outcome.
Opening to the public on Monday, 9 March, this annual campaign offers a valuable opportunity to receive professional architectural advice while directly supporting people experiencing homelessness across Ireland.
RIAI Simon Open Door is a collaboration between the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and the Simon Communities of Ireland. In return for a €125 donation, you can book a one-hour consultation with a Registered Architect. Every cent raised goes straight to the Simon Communities, who have been delivering essential services nationwide for nearly 50 years.
The consultation is open to anyone seeking guidance on a property or building project. You may be planning a home renovation, extension or energy upgrade. You might be purchasing a house and want professional insight before committing. Or you could be exploring works to a commercial premises, assessing the potential of a site, or considering how to improve the layout, compliance or performance of an existing building.
An early conversation with an Architect can bring clarity, highlight opportunities, flag potential constraints and outline practical next steps. Even a single hour can provide direction that saves time, money and uncertainty later on.
This year’s national fundraising target is €100,000. Each appointment contributes directly to supporting families, children and older people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
We are proud to support this initiative for the 17th year and to continue contributing to a campaign that benefits both those seeking professional advice and those in urgent need of housing and support.
Appointments tend to book quickly once the initiative goes live on 9 March. If you would like to take part, you can reserve your consultation at www.riaisimonopendoor.ie.
We look forward to welcoming you and being part of this important effort once again.
Isabel Barros Architects - Wexford is driven by a passion for creating high quality contemporary Architecture. Our goal is to make good design available to the general public while maintaining a strong focus on the energy efficiency and sustainability of our designs.
A graduate of Lusíada University in Lisbon, Portugal, Isabel is a Senior Architect with over 30 years experience. She is a registered member of both the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Portuguese Association of Architects. Isabel is also Accredited in Conservation at Grade 3.
