Tree House, Cornwall

Designed to provide 2 storey open plan living, the building is finished in lime render with a natural slate roof. With two glazed gables, the building maximises solar gains from the east and west avoiding southerly heat gains. However, an entrance conservatory provides a south facing sun space which is isolated from the main living space when either too hot or too cold. The building is heated with an air source heat pump delivering hot water to an underfloor system and a wood burner. Domestic hot water is supplemented by solar panels.

The building has been adopted by a leading heat pump manufacturer for field trials based on its ecologically sensitive footprint and outstanding specification. The construction is via pre-fabricated modular strawbales using the ecofab system.

Gross internal floor area 140m2.