What ZEDfactory does

ZEDfactory is a London-headquartered architectural design and masterplanning firm founded in 1999 by Bill Dunster (formerly Bill Dunster Architects), operating exclusively in Zero (fossil) Energy Development (ZED) buildings. The firm delivers a full range of architectural services spanning masterplanning of eco-villages, residential, mixed-use, public buildings, and office commissions for clients across the UK and international markets including China, France, South Korea, Qatar, UAE, Portugal, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Brazil, Somalia, and New Zealand. ZEDfactory maintains dual offices in London (headquarters) and Beijing (regional hub, led by Partner Yan Guo) and serves government bodies, housing associations and trusts, commercial developers, and public institutions.

The firm's core technology is a proprietary ZED architectural approach that integrates passive solar design, renewable energy systems, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient construction techniques. ZEDfactory has built a branded product portfolio around this approach: the ZEDroof solar PV roofing system with interchangeable PV/solar hot water/rooflight tiles; ZEDpower 1kWh LIPO4 solar-charged exchangeable batteries; ZEDbike dual-battery LiFePO4 electric bike; the Zero Bills Home affordable zero-carbon housing system (achieving 1.3 ach @50 Pa airtightness); ZEDhub climate-neutral mixed-use pods with BIPV facade and 120kWh battery storage; the Zero Carbon Kit House (Welsh timber post-and-beam system); ZED Ark accommodation units; ZED Solar Tree EV charging street furniture; and ZED Dock e-bike charging docks.

ZEDfactory operates a professional services revenue model, generating fees through bespoke architectural commissions (quote-based) supplemented by standardized product pricing — Zero Bills Home at £1450–£1650/m2 at scale and the Zero Carbon Kit House at €18,000 flat-pack delivered. Customer segments include residential developers and housing associations (primary), government and municipal bodies (primary, including Chinese municipal partners such as Yourun International, Anji Government, and Shuangtaigou Village), commercial property developers (secondary), and public institutions (secondary). Distribution is direct via the London and Beijing offices with no intermediaries; lead generation relies on thought leadership publications (ZEDlife book, RIBA Publishing 2018), industry awards, and conferences such as Shanghai EXPO 2010 and Ecobuild.

Name

ZEDfactory

Legal name

ZEDfactory Europe Ltd.

Website

https://zedfactory.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZEDfactory is a London-based architectural firm founded in 1999, specializing in Zero (fossil) Energy Development buildings. It delivers masterplanning and design services for eco-villages, residential, mixed-use, and public projects globally, supported by a proprietary portfolio of zero-carbon construction products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Architecture Services

NAICS

New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115)

SIC

Prefabricated Wood Bldgs & Components (2452)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Green / High-Performance Home Construction (Net-Zero, Passive House) (IMAFABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microgrid, DER & Building Electrification Energy Controls (Solar/Storage/EV Load Orchestration) (BPABAGAJ), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE), EV Charging as DER (Managed Charging, V2G/V2B) (EUAMAJAL)

Keywords

• Sustainable architecture services
• Zero carbon design
• Renewable energy systems
• Low carbon housing
• Architectural masterplanning

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full range of architectural services from master-planning and design of large-scale eco-villages to individual building commissions. Services include energy modeling, fluid dynamics analysis, and whole life cycle carbon cost assessment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ZEDfactory provides full architectural and masterplanning services for Zero (fossil) Energy Development (ZED) buildings, including design of eco-villages, residential, mixed-use, public, and office buildings that generate as much energy as they consume. The firm also develops and licenses a proprietary product line of zero carbon building systems including the Zero Bills Home (zero carbon housing), ZEDroof (solar PV roofing), ZEDpower (solar-charged exchangeable batteries), ZEDbike (electric bike), ZEDhub (mixed-use pod above parking), ZED Solar Tree, Zero Carbon Kit House, ZED Ark, and Zero Carbon Living Units.

Product overview

ZEDfactory is an architecture and masterplanning firm specializing in zero (fossil) energy development (ZED) buildings. The company offers a portfolio of sustainable building products including the Zero Bills Home (zero carbon housing system), ZEDroof (solar photovoltaic roofing), ZEDbike (electric bike), ZEDpower (solar-charged battery), ZEDhub (mixed-use pod), ZED Solar Tree (EV charging structure), ZED Dock (e-bike charging dock), Zero Carbon Kit House, ZED Ark (affordable accommodation), and Zero Carbon Living Units. The company provides full architectural services from master-planning eco-villages to individual building commissions, with a focus on low carbon design and development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZEDroof: Solar photovoltaic roofing system with interlocking tiles
• ZEDbike
• ZED Solar Tree
• Zero Bills Home
• Zero Carbon Kit House
• ZED Ark
• ZEDpower
• ZEDhub
• RuralZED

Products and services

• Architectural Design and Masterplanning Services Full range of architectural services from masterplanning large-scale eco-villages to individual building commissions, including energy modeling, fluid dynamics analysis, and whole life cycle carbon cost assessment. Services cover residential, mixed-use, public buildings, and office commissions in the UK and worldwide.
• Zero Bills Home Innovative affordable zero carbon housing system featuring superinsulated cladding, heat recovery ventilation, triple glazing, BIPV solar roofing, water saving appliances, LED lighting, and smart LIPO4 battery storage. Achieves airtightness of 1.3 ach@50 pascals. System build costs circa £1,450-£1,650/m2 at scale.
• ZEDroof Solar Photovoltaic Roofing System Solar photovoltaic roofing system with large interlocking tiles fully interchangeable allowing different combinations of PV, solar hot water, and rooflights. Tedlar-backed translucent PV panels allow light to filter through. Flush fitting, matt black anodised aluminium construction.
• ZEDbike Electric Bike Electric bike designed with two LiFePO4 batteries providing higher sustained speeds and range. Capable of 48 km range on single charge at speeds of 24-40 km/h with 80,000km battery life. Dual batteries capable of 1kWh storage with 3500 full charge cycles. 500W or 250W motor options with pedal torque sensors. Saves 1.3 tonnes CO2 annually vs taxi and saves £10k annually vs owning a diesel car in London.
• ZEDpower Solar-Charged Exchangeable Batteries 1kWh solar-charged exchangeable battery system that can power any household appliance. Modular design allows automatic configuration to match electrical demand. LIPO4 battery chemistry for safety and longevity (2500-5000 charge cycles at 75% discharge). Charged from two 250W mono solar panels.
• ZEDhub Mixed-use Pod Mixed-use pod designed above car parks that can be configured as office, studio, cafe/bar, or community space. Features BIPV facade system, 120kWh lithium battery store, 254 monocrystalline BIPV PV panels (50-60kW peak), EV charging infrastructure, solar-assisted air source heat pump, and rainwater storage. 50-year life expectancy.
• Zero Carbon Kit House Post and beam box frame construction system using Welsh timber providing flexible layout with varied roof and cladding options for eco villages and towns. Achieves 50 homes per hectare density. Cost price flat-pack kit delivered to customer's doorstep €18,000 ex BTW (excluding assembly) for 18m2 unit.
• ZED Ark Affordable Accommodation Affordable accommodation product line including LandARK (home or cabin sleeping up to 8) and Garden ARK (home office, holiday accommodation, or extra room) using FSC timber and natural materials.
• Zero Carbon Living Units Kit House demountable units for converting empty office spaces into low-cost living units. 18m2 internal space with kitchen, bathroom, sleeping/living room at cost price of €18,000. Used for projects such as the Amersfoort, Holland development with Kwintes.
• ZED Solar Tree Solar-charging structure with 3kWp self-supporting PV panels providing shade, shelter and charging for electric vehicles. Functions as street furniture with bench, planter, and shelter.
• ZED Dock E-Bike Charging Dock E-bike charging and locking dock integrated with street furniture. First public e-bike charging dock with optional solar mast for maximum solar gain.

Quantifiable outcome

• Airtightness of 1.3 ach @50 pascals vs 10 required by Building Regulations
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jingdezhen Ceramic Cultural Tourism GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2016Strategic cooperation partnership for Jingdezhen International Ceramic Cultural Centre - a key cultural project of Jingdezhen People's Government and Jiangxi People's Government. ZEDfactory providing architectural and masterplanning services for the 280,000m2 mixed-use development.
• Jiang Su Yourun Technological and Cultural Industry Development GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2016Cooperation with Jingdezhen Ceramic Cultural Tourism Group and ZEDfactory for the Jingdezhen Ceramic Centre development. Partnership formed to ensure cultural characteristics of the project.
• One Planet FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on innovative sustainability projects in The Netherlands including renovating old inefficient buildings to zero-energy buildings (One planet Business Garden), off-grid Tiny Houses, and demountable units for converting empty office spaces into low-cost living units (Kit Houses).
• Mott MacDonaldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting ZEDfactory's innovative earth sheltered housing project in Christchurch, New Zealand. Provided endorsement for the use of natural and locally available materials to provide affordable housing with low carbon/low-cost living using renewable energy sources.
• Building Research Establishment (BRE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero Bills Home launched at BRE Innovation Park. First home assessed under BRE's new Home Quality Mark providing consumer-friendly star rating system on quality and sustainability. Chief Executive Peter Bonfield opened the home.
• Sir Arthur Ellis Family TrustcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOwners of land for Newport Eco-village development. Planning permission for comprehensive mixed residential zero carbon sustainable development. 96 home zero bills development in Newport Essex.
• Himin (Himin Solar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture for development of Himin ZED roof - a product developed together to establish the Chinese supply chain and progress renewable energy technologies within Chinese projects.
• VantoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVantone Prototype house project in China as part of zero carbon exhibition center work.
• VankeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVanke low carbon exhibition center project in China.
• CBBC (China-Britain Business Council)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebinar partnership for 'The Future of Buildings in China - Property Technology' discussing opportunities for UK companies in China market regarding Proptech 3.0, sustainable cities and smart buildings.
• RIBA PublishingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublisher for ZEDlife book - How to build a low-carbon society today (2018).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Foster + Partners: Global architecture and integrated design firm with an established sustainability practice and deep expertise in low-energy buildings. Operates at much larger scale than ZEDfactory but competes for the same high-profile sustainable masterplanning commissions (e.g. district-scale, mixed-use, civic).
• Grimshaw Architects: International architecture firm with a strong portfolio in transport, education, and workplace, and an active sustainability agenda. Comparable to ZEDfactory in pursuing large mixed-use and infrastructure-led masterplans, but with significantly larger global headcount.
• Perkins&Will: Global architecture practice with deep sustainability, living-building, and net-zero expertise across residential, mixed-use, and civic typologies. Comparable in zero-carbon design philosophy but at materially larger scale and with broader geographic delivery.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): International architecture firm with explicit focus on sustainability, waste reduction, and integrated renewable systems in masterplans. Comparable in designing zero-energy mixed-use and masterplan projects, but with a much larger studio and global pipeline.
• Allies and Morrison: London-based architecture and masterplanning firm with significant housing, education, and urban regeneration portfolio. Comparable on masterplanning, residential design, and award track record, though larger and broader than ZEDfactory.

Direct peers

• Heatherwick Studio: London-based design studio with comparable boutique scale and a founder-led brand around bold, sustainability-aware architectural and product work. Comparable in size, founder dependency, and tendency to extend from architecture into proprietary products/ installations.
• HTA Design: UK architecture and masterplanning practice focused on housing, regeneration, and sustainable design. Most directly comparable UK peer: similar boutique size, residential-led portfolio, housing-association client base, and emphasis on low-carbon construction methods.
• Mikhail Riches: London-based architecture practice specialising in sustainable, low-energy social and private housing. Closest UK peer in scale, ethos, and product — both firms design Passivhaus-standard residential developments for housing associations and councils.
• Architype: UK architecture firm focused on sustainable, low-carbon, and Passivhaus building design across housing, education, and community sectors. Highly comparable as a small specialist practice competing in the same zero-energy housing niche.
• Haworth Tompkins: UK architecture practice with strong portfolio in housing, theatre, and masterplanning, recognised for sustainable design quality. Comparable in size, sector mix, and award-winning UK residential portfolio.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ZEDfactory
• YouTubevimeo.com/user63822339
• Facebookfacebook.com/Zedfactory
• Instagraminstagram.com/zedfactory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zedfactory

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZEDfactory