© Colin Usher practicing as MicroTecture c 2025
Services
A Glimpse Into My Work Every project is shaped by the people who will live or work in it. The images below show a selection of homes and buildings designed with comfort, simplicity and energy performance at their core. These aren’t glossy marketing shots — they’re real places, created with care, and built to support everyday life.
New Low Energy Home
So, you have found a site that has a good chance of getting permission, or that has Planning Permission already. I can have a quick look at the site online and then have a telephone or online consultation. After that stage we can agree a scope of service and agree a fee for the project. This would normally be between 3% and 8% of the construction cost depending upon my involvement. If you already have Architects appointed you can employ me to advise them on optimising the design to acheive your goals.Upgrading your existing home
You have realised that it is time to reduce the carbon footprint and energy costs in the house that you live in. Let me give you some advice on the cost/benefit balance that will suit your financial resources, providing the information that you need to carry out the work. You may aslo wish to add an extension or a garden studio - i can assist with that also. My initial consultation for all my services is just £75 so do contact me to set up a meeting.Partnering with others
If you are a large organisation like a House Builder, Deveoler or Housing Association then I will be more than happy to work with you, but I would need to do that in conjunction with another Architect. If you already have an Architect then I am more than happy to work as a consultant to their team. If you do not have another Architect then I would propose John McCall Architects with whom I have an existing business relationship.
Relocatable Living Pods
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC Homebuilding) have been around for a long time, but in conjunction with myself, this company has come up with a solution to many significant social problems by developing relocatable, low energy pods which can be used with a form of temporary Planning Permission to house key workers, the homeless, refugees and many others. Should you be interested in pods then do contact me and we can involve the team at MMC Homebuilding from the start. There is no charge for the introduction.Advice regarding Heat Pumps
I have been working with the premier price comparison site, The Energy Shop, to provide homeowners with good advice on the things that they should consider when swapping out a gas boiler and installing a Heat Pump. You will find the advice at How to Make Your Home Heat Pump Ready on The Energy Shop web site. If you need to replace your gas boiler now, then go for a heat pump, but plan to upgrade the insulation and draught proofing of your building ASAP. If it is not quite so urgent then prepare you home now so that when you do the swap the installation works really efficiently.Church & Community Buildings
As part of the Faiths for Change Group i have the contacts to help with the redesign, eco-refurb and new build opportunites and challenges that face this sector. The image above shows the refurbishment of part of my own Church which I carried out a decade ago. I may only be able to advise, but it would still be worth givng me a call. All the Church Denominations have recently announced that they are aiming to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 … so they need to make sure that all new buildings meet that standard now and that any alteration work also supports this.
© Colin Usher practicing as MicroTecture c 2025
Services
A Glimpse Into My Work Every project is shaped by the people who will live or work in it. The images below show a selection of homes and buildings designed with comfort, simplicity and energy performance at their core. These aren’t glossy marketing shots — they’re real places, created with care, and built to support everyday life.
New Low Energy
Home
So, you have found a site that has a good chance of getting permission, or that has Planning Permission already. I can have a quick look at the site online and then have a telephone or online consultation. After that stage we can agree a scope of service and agree a fee for the project. This would normally be between 3% and 8% of the construction cost depending upon my involvement. If you already have Architects appointed you can employ me to advise them on optimising the design to acheive your goals.Upgrading your
existing home
You have realised that it is time to reduce the carbon footprint and energy costs in the house that you live in. Let me give you some advice on the cost/benefit balance that will suit your financial resources, providing the information that you need to carry out the work. You may aslo wish to add an extension or a garden studio - i can assist with that also. My initial consultation for all my services is just £75 so do contact me to set up a meeting.Partnering with others
If you are a large organisation like a House Builder, Deveoler or Housing Association then I will be more than happy to work with you, but I would need to do that in conjunction with another Architect. If you already have an Architect then I am more than happy to work as a consultant to their team. If you do not have another Architect then I would propose John McCall Architects with whom I have an existing business relationship.
Relocatable Living
Pods
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC Homebuilding) have been around for a long time, but in conjunction with myself, this company has come up with a solution to many significant social problems by developing relocatable, low energy pods which can be used with a form of temporary Planning Permission to house key workers, the homeless, refugees and many others. Should you be interested in pods then do contact me and we can involve the team at MMC Homebuilding from the start. There is no charge for the introduction.Advice regarding Heat
Pumps
I have been working with the premier price comparison site, The Energy Shop, to provide homeowners with good advice on the things that they should consider when swapping out a gas boiler and installing a Heat Pump. You will find the advice at How to Make Your Home Heat Pump Ready on The Energy Shop web site. If you need to replace your gas boiler now, then go for a heat pump, but plan to upgrade the insulation and draught proofing of your building ASAP. If it is not quite so urgent then prepare you home now so that when you do the swap the installation works really efficiently.Church & Community
Buildings
As part of the Faiths for Change Group i have the contacts to help with the redesign, eco-refurb and new build opportunites and challenges that face this sector. The image above shows the refurbishment of part of my own Church which I carried out a decade ago. I may only be able to advise, but it would still be worth givng me a call. All the Church Denominations have recently announced that they are aiming to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030 … so they need to make sure that all new buildings meet that standard now and that any alteration work also supports this.
