! !Greenwood A"remarkable"energy-efficient"house"set"in"the"beautiful"North"Devon"countryside"

The$Greenwood$ project$ is$ a$ unique$ new$ build$ dwelling,$designed$ by$ Gale$ &$ Snowden$ Architects,$ set$ in$ the$beautiful$North$Devon$countryside,$close$to$the$village$of$High$Bickington.$$$Gale$&$Snowden$Architects$were$able$ to$obtain$detailed$planning$ permission$ for$ this$ ecological$ and$ low$ energy$building$on$the$site$of$a$former$singleEstorey$dwelling.$$$The$innovative$building$and$landscape$design$makes$the$best$use$of$site$assets.$The$dwelling$is$built$into$the$south$facing$ bank$ of$ the$ valley$ to$ maximise$ solar$ gains$ and$panoramic$countryside$views,$whilst$seeking$shelter$from$cold$Northerly$winds.$The$site$generates$its$own$fuel$and$power$from$coppiced$wood,$solar$thermal$and$PV$panels,$and$its$productive$garden$provides$food$for$the$occupants.$$$Key$features$of$the$project$are:$$• Beneficial$solar$heat$gain$• SuperEinsulated$ –$ triple$ glazing$ and$ high$ levels$ of$

insulation$throughout$• NonEthermal$bridging$detailing$• Air$tight$construction$• Thermal$mass$design$• Natural$daylight$design$• Natural$ventilation$• Minimal$ space$ heating$ requirements$ E$ one$ wood$

burner$can$provide$all$space$heating.$• Healthy$ building$ design$ in$ accordance$ with$ Building$

Biology$ principles$ –$ e.g.:$ nonEVOC$and$ nonEchlorine$based$(nonEPVC)$materials,$organic$paints,$stains$and$oils,$natural$materials$

• Low$water$use$design$• Solar$ photovoltaic$ panels,$ which$ provide$ an$ annual$

feedEin$tariff$that$has$recently$been$in$excess$of$£1,000$per$year$

• Solar$thermal$provides$hot$water$• Low$energy$lighting$and$appliances$throughout$$$The$design$also$features$local$crafts$incorporated$into$the$building$such$as$the$bespoke$oak$spiral$staircase,$joinery$throughout$and$the$handcrafted$kitchen.$$$The$house$has$been$designed$around$a$spectacular$open$plan$kitchen$/$dining$/$living$room$that$has$soaring$ceiling$heights.$ Largely$ doubleEheight,$ this$ is$ a$ room$ with$ rare$qualities$ of$ light$ and$ space$ and$ has$ wonderful$ views$across$the$valley.$$$Gale$&$Snowden$Architects$provided$ full$ and$ integrated$Architectural$and$Mechanical$Engineering$design$services$for$this$project$from$concept$design$to$completion.$$$As$building$plots$for$selfEbuild$projects$are$becoming$more$scarce,$a$number$of$Gale$&$Snowden’s$clients$are$finding$properties$ that$are$beyond$ renovation.$The$practice$has$successfully$ achieved$ planning$ approvals$ for$ several$similar$projects$ for$new$and$much$ improved$ecologically$aware$dwellings.$

Exeter Office Exeter Bank Chambers 67 High Street Exeter Devon EX4 3DT Tel. 01392 279220 Bideford Office 18 Market Place Bideford Devon EX39 2DR Tel. 01237 474952 www.ecodesign.co.uk info@ecodesign.co.uk RIBA Chartered Practice Gale & Snowden Architects Ltd. Registered office: 18 Market Place Bideford Devon EX39 2DR Incorporated in England & Wales No. 5632356 Directors: D Gale T Gartner L Millyard I Snowden

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