ARCHITECTS always boast that their work makes a difference to the environment, but few can lay greater claim to working for the common good than Phil Bixby, sole proprietor of Constructive Individuals.

Phil, who operates his practice from home in Holgate Road, York, actually helps people to decide on, design and build their own energy-efficient and elegant structures which help their community.

Along the way, he links efforts with experts who can train unskilled people to build homes then live in them, or erect community centres, then use them.

Over the past ten years he has helped to set up and manage many community self-build groups where unemployed people got the homes they wanted, along with training and even - in some cases - jobs.

No surprises, then, that Constructive Individuals, which is about people and the world they live in, has been nominated for both the Progress Through People and Environmental Business of the Year categories in the 2004 Evening Press Business Awards.

Most recent of his projects was an energy-efficient self-build scheme for young people on the Holgate Park development, working with York Housing Association and other partners. The one, two and three-bedroom low-energy homes were designed with the self-builders and training was provided in a range of skills by York College.

A second York Housing Association project, a sustainable housing scheme for 18 homes at Fieldside Place, next to St Nicholas Field, York, were so well insulated, draughtproofed and positioned that annual heating bills are expected to be about £50, ideal for occupants on low incomes.

Among his community building projects is the recently-completed Haxby and Wigginton youth and community centre, converted from the former Oaken Grove School buildings; and working with residents in a number of parts of York to explore the development of Homezones - residential areas where priority in the design of public space is given to pedestrians and cyclists.

Updated: 10:47 Tuesday, September 14, 2004