Transition by Design

Business Details

8 Years

experience

Sustainable Architecture & Community Engagement in Oxford

We are Transition by Design, an RIBA chartered and Passivhaus certified architecture and design cooperative based in Oxford. Our team specialises in ecological architecture, community engagement, and citizen-led design, with a focus on creating spaces that support ecological sustainability and social conviviality. As a worker-owned cooperative, we democratically reinvest profits into our team, local communities, and projects aligned with our values. Our expertise spans full architectural design services, retrofitting, sustainable material strategies, and participatory design processes.

We have delivered impactful projects such as the OX4 Community Retrofit, Blackbird Leys Community Centre engagement, and Oxford Cohousing. Recognised with awards including the Archiboo Activism Award and Retrofit Academy Graduate Award, we combine technical excellence with a commitment to social and environmental justice. Our collaborative approach integrates architecture, sustainability, and community needs to address complex urban challenges.

Services

Sustainable Architecture Community Engagement Retrofitting Participatory Design Urban Regeneration Housing Research Policy Advocacy Ecological Design Citizen-Led Development

Details

Year established: 2018

Highlights and features

We are RIBA chartered and Passivhaus certified architects with specialist retrofit expertise
Our worker cooperative model ensures democratic decision-making and community reinvestment
We pioneered community engagement for Oxford's Cowley Branch Line and Blackbird Leys projects
We integrate ecological materials and energy strategies into all our architectural designs
Our team combines architectural excellence with social change expertise through participatory design

Associations and certifications

RIBA
Passivhaus Institute

Website

Update Listing

Services

Sustainable Architecture

We create climate-positive buildings through RIBA chartered architectural services. Our Passivhaus-certified team designs energy-efficient structures using ecological materials, prioritising retrofitting and adaptive reuse. Projects include Oxford Cohousing and Dilly's Cottage retrofit, demonstrating our commitment to net-zero solutions.

Community Engagement

We lead citizen-led design processes for urban projects. Our expertise includes community visioning, workshops, and co-production, as demonstrated in Blackbird Leys Community Centre and Cowley Branch Line engagements. This approach ensures developments reflect local needs and foster social cohesion.

Retrofitting

We specialise in transforming existing structures into energy-efficient spaces. The OX4 Community Retrofit project demonstrates our methodology for scaling home upgrades. Services include feasibility studies, material selection, and construction oversight to achieve carbon-positive outcomes.

Housing Research

Our research informs policy and practice through initiatives like Homemaker Oxford. We investigate community-led housing models, meanwhile use, and affordability solutions, combining academic rigor with practical implementation strategies for urban sustainability.

Policy Advocacy

We influence sustainable development policies through thought leadership and collaboration. Our work with Oxford City Council and the Passivhaus Trust shapes climate-conscious urbanism, advocating for tenant empowerment and ethical finance in housing.

People

Olivia Harvey

Part I Architectural Assistant

Architectural assistant contributing to sustainable design projects through detailed technical work and community-focused solutions.

Alex Towler

Senior Architect

Experienced architect leading complex projects with expertise in ecological design and participatory planning processes.

Joyce Yiu

Part 1 Architectural Assistant

Supporting architectural projects with a focus on sustainable materials and energy-efficient design principles.

Felicity Stone

Architect/Project Manager

Managing projects from concept to completion with emphasis on community engagement and regulatory compliance.

Patrick Osborne

Architect

Delivering design excellence through innovative solutions that balance ecological responsibility with functional requirements.

Questions

What architectural services do you offer?

We provide full architectural design, retrofitting, sustainable material selection, and participatory design services for residential and community projects.

How do you involve communities in projects?

We use workshops, visioning sessions, and co-production methods to ensure community voices shape our designs and urban developments.

Are you certified for sustainable design?

Yes, we are RIBA chartered and Passivhaus certified, specialising in energy-efficient, climate-positive architectural solutions.

What areas do you operate in?

Primarily Oxford and Oxfordshire, with projects extending to Cambridge, Thame, and other UK locations through collaborative partnerships.

Can you help with housing affordability?

We develop community-led housing models and meanwhile use strategies to address affordability challenges in high-cost areas.

How are you structured as a cooperative?

We are worker-owned with democratic decision-making, reinvesting profits into our team, community projects, and sustainable initiatives.

Reviews (2)

Write a Review

Robert Austin

Jul 03, 2018 Report

TbD contributed substantially to the formation of Thame CLT by providing very sound advice and facilitating a very successful workshop.

James Angel

Oct 10, 2015 Report

I worked with TbD on naming, branding and website for launching a new campaign coalition working on energy democracy issues.
TbD were absolutely outstanding. They put everything they could into the work, they totally got our values and vision and they worked around the clock on a tight deadline to deliver a fantastic result. Always quick to respond and happy to help. And some seriously talented and creative people. A please to work with, I'd recommend 100%