CASE STUDY

Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the site has stunning views across the Kent Downs to the North, East and West, but is very exposed. The circular plan with earth bermed walls and a living roof was adopted to reduce the exposed surface area, limiting heat loss and reducing the visual impact. Passive solar principles and the AECB Silver Standards were at the heart of the design resulting in an air tight building including walls of dense concrete blocks with high levels of external insulation, and high performance timber double glazed windows sized and positioned to allow daylight to enter deep into the building at all times of the day without risk of summer overheating. The dwelling also features external timber cladding of locally sourced sweet chestnut, solar thermal panels providing approximately 60% of the annual hot water requirement, a simple rainwater harvesting system used for garden irrigation and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery (MVHR) providing warmed fresh air.