Sedum House

This contemporary eco home demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design, careful planning and perseverance can unlock opportunities on even the most challenging sites.

Designed as a low-energy retirement home, the project enabled our clients to remain in the village they loved while creating a sustainable, future-proof home with exceptional countryside views and remarkably low running costs.

The Brief

Our clients approached Allan Joyce Architects to explore the possibility of building a new home within the generous garden of their existing property.

Located within a Conservation Area and on the edge of the village envelope, the site presented significant planning challenges. Initial discussions with the local planning authority suggested that planning permission for a new dwelling was unlikely to be supported.

Rather than accepting this outcome, we worked closely with a specialist planning consultant to develop a design that responded sensitively to the site, minimised its visual impact and demonstrated why the proposal deserved approval.

The result was a successful planning application and the opportunity for our clients to create the retirement home they had always imagined.

The Design

The new home was carefully designed around both the site and our clients' lifestyle.

Earth-sheltered to the north to improve thermal performance and reduce its visual impact, the building opens towards the south with extensive glazing that captures natural daylight, passive solar gain and uninterrupted views across the surrounding countryside.

A sedum-covered mono-pitch roof allows the house to sit comfortably within its landscape while reflecting our clients' passion for gardening and biodiversity. Every aspect of the design was considered to create a home that feels connected to its setting while providing comfortable, modern living for retirement.

Sustainable Technologies

The home incorporates a ground source heat pump, solar photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting and a whole-house mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system, creating a highly energy-efficient home that is comfortable throughout the year.

The result is a property with minimal annual running costs, while surplus renewable energy generation also provides an additional income through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The Design

The eco home is designed for the clients to enjoy their retirement, with reduced running costs compared to their previous draughty Georgian farmhouse. The building is earth sheltered to the north, to help reduce heat losses and its impact on its surroundings. The mono-pitch roof opens up to the south and features a sedum blanket, chosen to enable the building to sit comfortably within its setting, whilst incorporating our client’s keen interest in gardens and planting. Full height glazing forming a passive solar collector to the south connects the house with the garden, and takes advantage of the surrounding rural views.

We are so glad we took your advice and persisted with Rushcliffe because we love our new house and are very happy that we have been able to stay in the village. We look out of those windows each day and appreciate how lucky we are. We have been very impressed by the professionalism and attention to detail that you and your staff demonstrated – you were always there when needed and we could not have asked for more.

Clients

The Result

This project is a wonderful example of how the right architectural approach can overcome planning challenges and unlock the potential of even the most sensitive sites.

By combining innovative design, sustainable technologies and a collaborative planning strategy, Allan Joyce Architects helped our clients secure permission for a home that many believed wouldn't be possible. Today, they are enjoying a beautiful, low-energy retirement home in the village they were determined to remain part of.