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The Bath Chronicle - Green Living (P4)

Note to Editors: For further information contact Lisa Mitchell
on 01225 851222 or use the contact us page.

16 October 2008
Willowcroft Farm

The brief to Batterham Matthews Design was to replace an existing 1960's house positioned somewhat awkwardly on the site and create a living space that was sensitive to the environment and in keeping with the stunning landscape.

Willowcroft Farm has an enviable position on the outskirts of Gastard, Wiltshire with spectacular views to the east. The existing building is being replaced to create a design which is more akin to the surrounding buildings, yet improving its sustainable credentials and in proportion to the landscape.

Design Approach
Willowcroft has been built utilising as many environmental strategies as possible including a compact two storey plan to maximise volume to surface area ratio; to minimise heat loss only small openings appear on the north elevation with most of the glazing to the east and west; natural ventilation; use of natural materials with low embodied energy used throughout and a Ground Source Heat Pump for the under floor heating.

To maximise the use of natural materials, Willowcroft was built using a green Oak timber frame construction with Cedar timber boarding on the upper level which will turn a natural silver grey with age.

Building an eco home
Building a new home can have a major impact, or be as sensitive as possible on the environment. Here at Batterham Matthews Design in Bath we have twenty years experience at taking clients visions and transforming them into beautiful but practical living solutions with strong ecologically sustainable credentials.

With fuel costs continuing to rise dramatically, utilising as many renewable energies as possible means that your long term running costs are forecast to be considerably lower.