A deep-retrofit of a 1950s terraced house brings architectural flair and admirable energy reduction to an ‘ordinary home’. With the levels of achievement for low energy and high efficiency building retrofits very much in the forefront of professional discourse at the moment, how accessible is this approach to the everyday home? Sanya Polescuk Architects’ latest project celebrates the history of the era with rich textures and high performing spec. • According to Scaling Up Retrofit to 2050 from the IET, 1.5 homes a minute need to be lifted to EPC rating C or better to meet national targets. Currently 70% of existing housing stock does not meet C rating. • A deep retrofit using traditional Procurement with a non-specialist contractor to build and specialist consultants to analyse thermal elements and energy usage. • Fabric first approach: high levels of insulation and a careful air-tightness strategy supported by WUFI calculations. • Onsite mix of micro generation: solar hot water, photovoltaics used in conjunction with an air source heat pump. Energy modelling proved that the addition of a home battery would mean self-sufficiency for 9 out of every 12 months. • Gas free home – Electricity bills at £52/month. EPC predicts £97/month. Architects have access to bills to monitor into the future. Performance meets RIBA 2025 target. • RHI applied for using the EPC required reduced SAP calculation showed a lower performance than achieved in practice. RHI scheme incentivizes machinery over building fabric with more money available to lower thermal performing homes. • Original features retained and restored, the solid hardwood floors restored off-site and re-laid over new ufh, the doors retained and refinished, even light fittings made good and re-painted to reduce contributions to landfill.