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Trebears Eco House, Porthcothan Bay, North Cornwall

The original Trebears, a single storey brick cottage has been in the ownership of the same family  for over 100 years, since its construction. The family decided in 2011 that it was time for a new Trebears to be constructed.

The project incorporates specifications that exceed the current Building Regulations and adopts many of the Passivhaus principles.  The resultant integrated design  has 16  photovoltaic panels, 2 solar thermal panels that, along with a highly efficient woodburner and whole house heat recovery system, have  the potential for the house to be self sufficient for energy, achieving an A-A energy rating.

Through the integrated design process, careful detailing and a fantastic team of contractors, the client has achieved a remarkable  cost per metre of below £1,250/m2 for everything!  Investing 18 months of his own life project managing the whole thing has truly been worth it!

Along with passive solar gain features and a veranda that is reminiscent  of the post war colonial style houses, the project offers a potential affordable blueprint which draws inspiration from a traditional Cornish material palette.