Wealden gives go-ahead for ground-breaking grand design

Jan. 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Consultant Glenn Moore of Pevensey-based GM Moore Associates worked closely with Wealden District Council after the initial planning application was rejected before submitting the approved design. His comprehensive and persuasive planning statement outlined how the proposed dwelling had been designed to respect and work with the landscape of the Low Weald.

He said: “The existing dwelling is a chalet-style bungalow that has been added to and extended over the years. Unfortunately these additions were made without suitable foundations resulting in irreparable subsidence. My clients seized the opportunity to build a replacement home, designed to meet their needs. They specified that they wanted a new house that would be sustainable and built with locally sourced materials.”

Glenn went on to explain that the house will be as eco as possible: “The design embraces new technologies to reduce carbon emissions and incorporates renewable sources for heat, energy, as well as building materials. The aim is that the house will be constructed to meet standards required for accreditation as a sustainable and passive house.”

Key features of the two-storey, rectilinear house, which will be built of local materials, include a parapetted roof with an access lantern. Solar panels will be sited on the roof and the parapet design makes sure they are concealed. Plants will be sown and encouraged to grow up and over the parapet to soften the appearance of the house, improve insulation and reduce water run-off. The simple design will make use of recesses, cantilevers and transparent balconies which are intended to make the building appear smaller and create a feeling of being at one with the elements. The cantilevers and balconies will provide shelter and shade, but also take advantage of light from all directions at different times of the year.

The clients specified they wanted a sustainable, energy efficient home that reflected the landscape and took advantage of natural light and views allowing them to live and share the site with nature.

The simplistic, open-plan design allows for a free-flowing living arrangement and makes the house into a ‘life-time home’. The post and lintel construction seeks to embrace the landscape and the verticality of the trees around it and, along with the extensive glazing, will allow the property to evolve with its occupants and meet their changing lifestyle demands.

This will be an energy efficient home that makes use of cutting-edge technologies and design, maximising the use of the available land, pond and south-facing position embodying sustainable principles and passive design. The basic construction material will be timber which is available locally. A ground-source heat pump has also been incorporated along with a wood burner to provide all required heat. Rainwater will be harvested for use in dual-flush toilets.

GM Moore and Associates www.gmassociates.co.uk is based in Pevensey, East Sussex, and provides a range of design, planning and technical services that include extensions and refurbishments to period properties, conversion of barns and oasts and construction of new buildings using traditional methods and materials in new and innovative ways.

For more information telephone Glenn Moore on 01323 888013 or e-mail glenn@gmassociates.co.uk

ENDS

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