Sustainable house in Owlpen, Cotswolds

A sustainable house designed to integrate with its environment.

The agenda for this project was to create a low energy sustainable dwelling more integrated to the landscape and utilising as many natural renewable sources of energy as possible. It is situated on a stunning site with its own natural spring supply and woodland.

The design is based on two architectural elements combined with the natural slope of the land to contain the other two sides of a courtyard. You enter on the first floor with all the living accommodation with open plan living area and evening winter snug and study. The bedrooms are on the lower level, dug into the bank, utilising the ground warmth.

Gentle curved glulam beams form the roof structure which is covered with Sedum to help the design blend into the natural setting. Over 90% of the glazing is on the south and west elevations thereby reducing heat loss and benefiting from solar gain. The building has a ground source heat pump utilising two bore holes, natural spring water, warm-cell recycled newspaper insulation, natural spring water and rain water harvesting off the roofs.