Eco-House, Hertfordshire

Client – Private
Date of Completion – 2007

Our client bought a north west facing plot with views over open countryside with planning permission for a very small, single bedroom house. She was working part time for the Green Party Members of the European Parliament and wanted the house to be very sustainable. She had been inspired by rural self-build by women she had met in New Zealand and wanted to do the same here.

Having a strong idea of what she wanted, we presented a planning application based on her inspirations – timber frame, turf roof, composting toilet and plenty of recycled material.

It evolved in an unconventional way with things coming to a standstill after 18 months, with the shell in place. The project then got underway again when our client met a rural eco-designer working on Dartmoor and, with fresh resources, this new partnership went on to complete the project with love and creative passion.