An eco family home in a village location

One of the key requirements of the brief was to make the house as ecologically efficient as possible. Green concerns permeated all aspects of the design, choice of materials, and layout. The clients, a semi-retired professional couple influenced by spending much of their working life in Scandinavia and New England, were very open to embracing the bulthaup philosophy and our ideas on space. This was reflected in their desire for a practical open-plan space.

To meet their green credentials they chose a ground-source heat pump, extremely high level insulation, low energy solar roofs panels and low energy lighting. Maximising natural light (through extensive glazing and roof lights) and creating a feeling of space (with a new layout, design and the choice of suspended b3 furniture) allowed low energy lighting to be used throughout.

The original layout, standard for a detached modern house with separate kitchen, dining and living area, was extensively remodelled and extended to create a 500 sq.ft. (50 sq.m.) area. This could accommodate an open-plan, light- filled, space incorporating kitchen, dining and living areas. It also allowed for a lot more natural light, the entire length of the back wall being completely glazed, with bi-fold doors to extend the space to the outside deck.  

The greige b3 island faces towards the dining and living areas. It provides a sociable preparation area where the cook can maintain eye contact with other diners. The solid oak bar and stool allow easy conversation without interfering with the main preparation area and provide informal dining. Looking over the extensive deck and lawns, the island houses the hobs, dishwasher, cutlery and crockery storage, all in close proximity to the table for ease of serving and clearing. The dishwasher is located opposite the sink and next to crockery storage for ease of loading and unloading.

Suspended furniture was chosen to maximise light and create a feeling of space. We selected separate blocks of furniture along the side wall: a suspended tall block houses the fridge-freezer and ovens; and a suspended side unit with sink and secondary preparation area. bulthaup function boxes offer hidden storage in the back splash for chopping boards, knife block, detergents, and foils and wraps.

The client chose laminate for all furniture fronts and worktops for its practicality and durability, choosing the colour greige finish for the furniture fronts to add warmth, while the graphite colour chosen for the worktops to provide a contrast.