Flint house has been designed as a ‘one off’, based on the vernacular of an Essex Barn, with a steep pitched timber roof, linear footprint and contemporary projections.  The drama unfolds as you walk through the front door, and you experience the open-vaulted Glulam beams & CLT panelled ceiling with a 6m high ridge beam. With generous open plan living and dining spaces, low-level internal walls and large triple glazed openings to the entrance level, the full extent of the theatrical roof is on show. Only when next to the proposal, would one see the cleverly cut away ground level to reveal the lower ground floor, home to four well-proportioned bedrooms and sunken, private terraces. Rich ornamental planting to flat areas and sloping banks provide privacy and softer outlook to lower-level bedrooms, and biodiversity enhancements.

The Net-Zero sustainable design was achieved by our expert design team including Qoda, maximising the site’s credentials, bringing forward this ambitious sustainable home.

The design works hard with technology, utilising the energy of the sun, the water and the earth. This synergy is facilitated by the water pond formed on site through its topography and land drainage. The water pond significantly enhances the ecology, whilst innovatively generating heat via a water source heat pump to supply the house with space heating, passive cooling, and domestic hot water. The heating and cooling, as well as electric vehicle charging, will be powered by electricity generated via 42 solar panels. Sustainable drainage systems include rainwater harvesting and sewage treatment plant, meaning all drainage is dealt with on-site. The off-site sustainable hybrid superstructure of Glulam beams & CLT panels will help reduce wastage and build time, as well as the projects embodied carbon footprint.

Flint House is a ground-breaking piece of architecture in Epping Forest. A truly special home for our clients that proves that Net-Zero is an attainable standard. We hope it will the first of many and inspire future homes to excel to this level of architecture. We love it!