Our Oxford Based Expertise
Sustainable design in Oxford
With over four decades of experience working across Oxfordshire, we understand the balance between protecting historic fabric and delivering modern, sustainable buildings. We’ve partnered with some of the region’s leading educational institutions, including Oxford colleges, to sensitively refurbish heritage sites and introduce low-carbon, future-ready systems.
Working across multiple sectors, our in-house Sustainability Consultants and specialist teams collaborate closely with our experienced MEP engineers to design buildings that not only meet today’s environmental standards but also support clients on their journey to net zero carbon. From Passive House design to whole life carbon assessments, our approach blends innovation with a deep respect for architectural legacy, ensuring Oxford’s rich heritage estates are fit for the next generation.
Get in touch
Ed and Jon support colleges and institutions across Oxfordshire, delivering sustainable design strategies for heritage estates. For detailed case studies on these projects, please get in touch.
Ed Gardiner
Associate, Oxford
Jonathan Pollard
Associate Director, Oxford
Our Experience
19-21 St John’s Street
We’re supporting St John’s College with the retrofit of three Grade II listed Georgian buildings to create low-energy student accommodation. Using advanced thermal modelling and carbon analysis, we’re helping to retain the buildings’ historic character while improving performance - reducing heating demand by at least 40%, removing gas, and introducing air source heat pumps with acoustic enclosures for minimal disruption.
“We’re excited to work with CPW; their innovative solutions have helped guide this project to achieve a high efficiency, low carbon design. This refurbishment project is set to improve our accommodation stock and is an example of our commitment to put environmental sustainability at the centre of all we do.”
- Ian Stokes, Works Bursar, St John’s College Oxford
Pusey Lane
As Passivhaus Designer, we’re proud to be delivering MEP and acoustic services for a new student development comprising five townhouses and eight studio apartments. The low-energy scheme has been carefully modelled to maximise natural light while respecting local heritage. With overheating mitigation, high-performance fabric, PV panels and smart design, the development aims to exceed 2021 Building Regulations CO₂ targets by 40%, setting a new benchmark for sustainable student living in Oxford.
St Johns College Decarbonisation Plan
Working closely with St John’s College, we’re proud to be collaborating on a comprehensive decarbonisation plan to help them reach Net Zero Carbon by 2030–2035. Following extensive MEP surveys across their historic estate, our roadmap outlines the transition from gas heating to low-carbon alternatives. By combining fabric improvement strategies with building services upgrades, we’re helping reduce energy demand while respecting the heritage and complexity of the College’s buildings.
Oxford Brookes University Headington Hill Campus project
As part of Oxford Brookes University's campus transformation, we delivered full MEP, acoustic, and BREEAM consultancy for two new buildings bringing together engineering, computing, arts, and architecture. Located beside a Grade II* listed building in a conservation area, the design needed to sit sensitively within its context. With cutting-edge tech and sustainable design at the core, we helped create a collaborative, future-focused academic environment.
Global Health Building
This building is set to be an exemplar for future developments and is designed to achieve Passivhaus Classic certification and go beyond Building Regulations and the Oxford Local Plan.
The development targets sustainability in all elements of its design, providing occupants with exceptional thermal comfort and air quality control, maintaining floorplan flexibility, while balancing this with optimised plant and services operation, high performance building fabric design, and the use of high efficiency building systems. These efficient design concepts are further complemented by an effort to minimise embodied carbon and utilise natural and renewable energy sources wherever possible.
Let’s Talk About Your Next Project
Whether you're planning a sustainable retrofit or need guidance on heritage sensitive design, our Oxford team is here to help.
Get in touch with Ed or Jon today to start the conversation.
We offer a diverse range of services and specialisms in-house
Our Story
In 1978 Tony Couch, Gordon Perry and Geoff Wilkes founded CPW as they set up operations in a small office in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Over 40 years later, and after a succession of growth periods, CPW has established a strong presence across the UK as an industry-leading mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and low carbon consultancy. Now counting offices in Oxford, London, Cambridge, Nottingham, Leicester, Leeds and Manchester, as well as an international presence in Poland and India.
“At CPW, we have a wealth of experience when it comes to Passivhaus buildings. We truly believe that passive design is the key to tackling the environmental impact of the built environment. Our vast experience covers a range of building types, from residential to educational. In Oxford, we’re pleased to also currently be working on the Global Health Building for the University of Oxford, a 4,700m² building which will accommodate around 400 members of staff with high-standard facilities including an agile-enabled, open-plan office setup, seminar spaces, global video conferencing facilities and SMART-connected amenities.”
Jonathan Pollard - Associate Director