Why ARCO₂ & ADD Sustainable Construction Should Be Your First Choice
Leading with Experience, Performance & Awards
At ARCO₂ and ADD Sustainable Construction, we don’t just talk about sustainable, high-performance buildings, we deliver them. We’ve completed over 550 projects to date, each guided by our core values: super-insulated, low energy, passive house principles; health & wellbeing; robustness and environmental sustainability. Our designs are not theoretical — they’ve been recognised repeatedly: more than 120 awards so far, for both design excellence and carbon reduction.
Watch the YouTube video to find out why the FMB judges chose Turnstones as their national winning project :House Builder Award 2025
https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/2025-housebuilder-award-winner-add-sustainable-construction-ltd.html
Our Philosophy & Approach
We believe in architecture that goes beyond aesthetics — buildings that perform in every way:
- Fabric-first design — thermal-bridge-free construction, airtightness, superior insulation, excellent windows. These aren’t add-ons; they’re the foundation.
- Low energy / Passive House standards — we specialise in creating homes and buildings that require minimal heating, deliver excellent comfort, and manage energy use intelligently.
- Health & Wellbeing — natural light, clean indoor air, non-toxic materials, and designs that feel uplifting. Our buildings aim to nourish the people inside, not just look good from the outside.
- Robustness & Sustainability — seaside exposure, wind, rain, changing seasons — we design for these, choosing materials and build methods to last, with minimal maintenance and environmental impact.
- Award-winning leadership — our projects like Keynvor, Ladybird Farm, Turnstones and Elements are frequently celebrated, not just for beauty, but for sustainable innovation and environmental care.
Credentials You Can Trust
- Specialist Qualifications — we hold Passive House credentials, AECB / CarbonLite retrofit qualifications, among others, which means you’re working with professionals who know the standards inside out.
- Award-winning and Respected — ARCO₂ is widely seen as a leader in sustainable architecture in the South West. ADD Sustainable Construction backs this up in the build. Together, we’ve earned recognition for sustainable practices, design, and craftsmanship.
How We’re Different
What sets us apart:
- Seamless design + build experience — because ARCO₂ are architects and ADD is our in-house construction company, you get continuity, fewer handovers, better communication, and a team that understands what will happen on site from the design phase onward.
- Hands-on team — many of our architects & designers have on-site building experience. That means decisions made at the design stage are grounded in practical reality.
- Local, trusted, responsive — being based here in Cornwall gives us proximity to projects; we’re deeply familiar with Cornwall’s environment, planning context, and vernacular. That means faster responses, better local relationships (planning officers, building control, contractors), and designs that fit place, not just generic templates.
What You Can Expect Working with Us
When you choose ARCO₂ & ADD for your project, here’s what you’ll experience:
- A detailed Discovery & Design process that listens: about how you want to live, what your priorities are, and how your site works.
- Designs that maximise performance: minimising thermal bridges, using renewable technologies, incorporating Passive House or equivalent best practices.
- Focus on wellbeing and comfort: daylighting, natural ventilation, healthy materials.
- Sustainability built in: long-life materials, low maintenance, energy efficiency, low environmental impact.
- Recognition and quality: knowing your project will be handled to very high standards and has the potential to be among the best in its field.
If you’re looking for architecture and construction that doesn’t compromise — buildings that are beautiful, high-performing, sustainable and deeply rooted in Cornwall — then we’d love to have a conversation. Let’s explore what your project could become.
