© Colin Usher practicing as MicroTecture c 2025
Services
I have listed below some of the Design Services that i can provide. But i am flexible - if none of these meets your needs, do contact me to discuss your project.
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) 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. Follow progress on their web site at mmchomebuilding.co.uk. 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.Pre-assembled home extensions
Alongside the Pods i am working to design an ‘off the shelf’ home extension solution using the same MMC concept so that minimal builders work is required to create a single storey ‘permitted development’, easy to assemble solution. A simple way to expand the size of your home. This could be an ideal solution as an annex to provide for a disabled member of your family. Should you be interested in an MMC Homebuilding extension then do contact me and we can involve the team at MMC Homebuilding from the start. There is no charge for the introduction.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 8 years 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
I have listed below some of the Design Services that i can provide. But i am flexible - if none of these meets your needs, do contact me to discuss your project.
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) 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. Follow progress on their web site at mmchomebuilding.co.u k. 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.Pre-assembled home
extensions
Alongside the Pods i am working to design an ‘off the shelf’ home extension solution using the same MMC concept so that minimal builders work is required to create a single storey ‘permitted development’, easy to assemble solution. A simple way to expand the size of your home. This could be an ideal solution as an annex to provide for a disabled member of your family. Should you be interested in an MMC Homebuilding extension then do contact me and we can involve the team at MMC Homebuilding from the start. There is no charge for the introduction.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 8 years 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.