Bere:architects
Bere:architects is a London-based private architectural practice, founded in 1994, specializing in Passive House (Passivhaus) design, deep energy retrofit, and building performance research. It serves social housing associations, public-sector clients, and private residential clients across the UK.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Bere:architects does
Bere:architects is a London-based private architectural practice founded in 1994, specializing in the design and certification of low-energy buildings using the Passive House (Passivhaus) standard. The firm serves three primary customer segments: social housing providers and housing associations seeking certified Passivhaus solutions for affordable zero-carbon housing; private residential clients commissioning ultra-low-energy homes and self-build projects; and community or public-sector building owners commissioning deep energy retrofits (notably community centres and heritage structures). Notable commissions include London's first Passivhaus dwelling (Camden), the UK's first certified non-domestic Passivhaus refurbishment (Mayville Community Centre), and the Chestnut House competition win at BRE's Watford Innovation Park in collaboration with the Prince's Foundation for Building Community.
The firm's core technical offering centers on the fabric-first Passivhaus methodology, including airtightness design, triple-glazing, heat recovery ventilation, avoidance of thermal bridging, masonry permeability testing, and sustainable construction systems such as timber frame and green roofs. The practice delivers a unified portfolio of architectural design services (newbuild, retrofit, interiors, landscape, commercial), consultancy on Passivhaus design and building performance evaluation, R+D into exemplar low-energy prototypes and best-practice dissemination, and a published technical book ('An Introduction to Passive House', RIBA Publishing, 2012) by founder Justin Bere. Differentiated outcomes from completed projects include 65.1 kWh/m2 total annual energy consumption (Camden), 95% total energy savings on retrofit (Mayville), fuel bills below £100 per year, and stable 21-23°C indoor temperatures with zero heat input - metrics that anchor the firm's evidence-based competitive positioning.
Bere:architects operates as a fee-based professional services practice with no publicly disclosed pricing, no external investment or funding rounds, and a headcount in the 1-10 range. Go-to-market relies on direct client commissions, architectural competitions (BRE, Welsh Government, Prince's Foundation), and research or consultancy partnerships with bodies such as the Technology Strategy Board, Welsh School of Architecture, and Cambridge Architectural Research. The practice is geographically concentrated in London, South East England, and Wales, with thought leadership generated through industry conferences (Ecobuild, UK Passivhaus Conference, International Passive House Conference), research publications, earned media (BBC Countryfile, Evening Standard, RIBA Journal), and PR through its multiple industry awards. Founder Justin Bere retains primary ownership and principal status.
Bere:architects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bere:architects
- Legal name
- Bere:architects
- Website
- https://bere.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Bere:architects is a London-based private architectural practice, founded in 1994, specializing in Passive House (Passivhaus) design, deep energy retrofit, and building performance research. It serves social housing associations, public-sector clients, and private residential clients across the UK.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bere:architects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Interior Design Services (54141), Landscape Architectural Services (541320)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)
Keywords
Where Bere:architects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Bere:architects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: Full architectural services for residential and non-residential projects, including newbuild, retrofit, interiors, landscape and public space, and commercial projects.
- Research & Publication: Research paper publications, technology dissemination through conferences, and published book 'An Introduction to Passive House' by Justin Bere sold via Amazon.
- Consultancy Services: Expert consultancy on Passivhaus design, building performance evaluation, and low energy construction techniques.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Bere:architects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bere:architects is an architectural design practice delivering sustainable, low-energy buildings through Passive House (Passivhaus) methodology. The firm provides architectural services across newbuild, retrofit, interiors, landscape and public space, and commercial projects, alongside ongoing research and development in low-energy building technologies. Its signature capability is Passive House Plus design - all-electric, resilient new homes that export more energy than they import and cost nothing to run.
Product overview
Bere:architects is an architectural practice offering a unified portfolio of services centered on sustainable, Passive House-certified building design. The core offering comprises architectural design services, Passive House consulting and certification, retrofit solutions for existing buildings, and ongoing R+D in low-energy building technologies. The practice also publishes 'An Introduction to Passive House,' a technical book by founder Justin Bere. These services work together to deliver buildings that cost nothing to run while maintaining superior comfort and health standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architectural Design Services
- Passive House (Passivhaus) Design and Certification Services
- Deep Retrofit and EnerPHit Services
- Research and Development (R+D)
- An Introduction to Passive House (Book)
Quantifiable outcome
- 65.1 kWh/m2 per annum total energy consumption for Camden Passivhaus - one of the lowest ever monitored in UK
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Bere:architects
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bere:architects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Bere:architects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Prince's Foundation for Building CommunitycoreCollaboration on BRE UK Passivhaus Competition for Watford and Ravenscraig sites, resulting in Chestnut House winning design for Watford Innovation Park. Also collaborated on Whitehill Bordon Eco-Town Terrace competition. Strong synergies documented through RIBA sustainability blog interviews on Passivhaus techniques and traditional building methods.
- BRE (Building Research Establishment)coreBRE UK Passivhaus Competition organizer - bere:architects won Watford site competition and shortlisted for Ravenscraig. BRE Watford Innovation Park project development including ministerial opening scheduled September 2012.
- Southern Housing GroupcoreClient for Retrofit for the Future Passfield Drive project. Partnership exploring cost savings of retrofitting blocks of terraced houses under large scale building contracts, informed by German retrofit examples.
- Welsh School of ArchitecturecoreResearch partner for Larch and Lime House Building Performance Evaluation studies. Collaboration with Cambridge Architectural Research on monitoring and evaluation of Passivhaus performance.
- e-Griffin Consulting (Richard Whidborne)coreQuantity surveyor Richard Whidborne collaborated on Passivhaus Cost Project comparing cost differences between Code 3 and Passivhaus buildings, demonstrating cost effectiveness at UK Passivhaus Conference.
- Holbrook Timber FramecoreTimber frame constructor for Larch House - won SME Award at Constructing Excellence Wales Awards following nomination by bere:architects for outstanding commitment to sustainability.
- United Welsh Housing AssociationcoreDelivered Larch and Lime Houses at Ebbw Vale - certified Passivhaus social housing under Welsh Government competition administered by BRE Wales. Partnership includes Technology Strategy Board funded Building Performance Evaluation studies.
- Kim Wilkie (Landscape Architect)minorCreative concept and native planting design collaboration for The Muse green roofs and wildflower meadows.
- Dusty Gedge - Living RoofsminorGreen roof technical advice, native wildflower meadow design and implementation, and special soil substrate consultation for The Muse project.
- Geffrye MuseumminorJustin Bere presented philosophical lecture at Geffrye Museum AGM on architecture and land resource management, food and energy production links.
- Fulcrum ConsultingminorM&E engineering consultancy for Tower Bridge passive cooling project, designed bespoke ductwork and nozzle system for passive ventilation.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bere:architects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Allies and Morrison: Large, established London architecture practice with sustainability expertise across residential, commercial and cultural projects. Larger and broader portfolio than Bere:architects but overlapping in low-energy residential design and London geography.
- Foster + Partners: Global architecture incumbent with sustainability leadership credentials and capacity to deliver large Passivhaus and net-zero projects. Comparable only at the level of broad sustainability positioning; far larger and broader in scope.
Direct peers
- Mikhail Riches: Cambridge-based architectural practice specialising in Passivhaus-certified social and sustainable housing, with a Stirling Prize win (Goldsmith Street). Closest UK peer to Bere:architects in scale, Passivhaus specialism, and social housing client base.
- ZEDfactory (Bill Dunster Architects): London-based practice and a UK pioneer of zero-carbon and Passivhaus design (BedZED, Marmalade Lane). Highly comparable as a small, founder-led, sustainability-first architecture practice working across housing typologies.
- Haworth Tompkins: London-based architecture practice recognised for sustainable, low-energy cultural, housing and education projects. Comparable in client mix (housing associations, public sector) and commitment to deep retrofit and low-energy newbuild.
- Cullinan Studio: London-based practice with a long-standing sustainable architecture focus, particularly on education and social housing. Comparable on sustainability values, project types, and UK regional operating footprint.
- Pollard Thomas Edwards (PTE): London-based architectural practice with deep social housing and regeneration expertise, including award-winning Passivhaus and low-energy housing projects. Comparable on social housing client base and sustainability credentials.
- HTA Design: UK-wide architecture and masterplanning practice with a strong residential and sustainable housing portfolio. Comparable as a peer offering low-energy design across housing typologies, with similar public-sector client base.
- ECD Architects: London-based practice focused on sustainable, low-energy residential and education architecture, with strong Passivhaus expertise. Similar size, geography, and specialisation profile to Bere:architects.
Emerging players
- Elementa Consulting: UK Passivhaus and building performance consultancy providing design support, certification, and Passivhaus delivery services. Adjacent rather than directly competing - a partner or competitor for Passivhaus-specific work depending on engagement model.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bere:architects social profiles
Digital presenceBere:architects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bere:architects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Bere:architects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bere:architects M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bere:architects
What does Bere:architects do?
Bere:architects is an architectural design practice delivering sustainable, low-energy buildings through Passive House (Passivhaus) methodology. The firm provides architectural services across newbuild, retrofit, interiors, landscape and public space, and commercial projects, alongside ongoing research and development in low-energy building technologies. Its signature capability is Passive House Plus design - all-electric, resilient new homes that export more energy than they import and cost nothing to run.
Is Bere:architects a public or private company?
Bere:architects is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Bere:architects founded?
Bere:architects was founded in 1997. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Bere:architects based?
Bere:architects is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Bere:architects make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Architectural Design Services are the primary driver. The others are research & Publication and consultancy Services.
Who are Bere:architects's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Allies and Morrison and Foster + Partners. Direct peers are Mikhail Riches, ZEDfactory (Bill Dunster Architects), Haworth Tompkins, Cullinan Studio, Pollard Thomas Edwards (PTE), HTA Design and ECD Architects. Elementa Consulting is listed as an emerging player.
Does Bere:architects have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bere:architects.
What industry is Bere:architects in?
Bere:architects's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAB, Interior Design Services. Its NAICS code is 54141.