Eco Friendly Arch House

In an episode of Grand designs, an eco friendly house was constructed near Staplehurst in Kent, England.  The architect, Richard Hawkes claims that it is one of the first 'zero-carbon' homes in the UK.

The house is said to be 'environmentally friendly'. -It aims to blend into its surroundings AND be self-sustaining!  The building itself is effectively a couple of timber-framed boxes that rest under a huge, unsupported arch built from 26,000 hand-made clay tiles.  The entire structure is covered with tons of soil, then grassed over.  The majority of the house is covered in earth as a method of insulation, it also helps the house to blend into the rural setting.  


Architectural designer, Doctor Michael Ramage based at the University of Cambridge's Department of Architecture was one of the helpers with this project.  His expertise are in structural design and construction technology.  He stated, ''the vaulting gives the house plenty of structural strength but obviates the need for embodied-energy intensive materials such as reinforced concrete.  It also provides it with great thermal mass, enabling the building to retain heat, absorb fluctuations in temperature and reducing the need for central heating or cooling systems''  


The structural reliance on a large vaulted roof which spans 20 metres over the building makes the building unique.

I believe that the 'eco arch' is architecturally exciting and works as an effective sustainable building, however I personally feel that sustainability needs to be an issue in homes already out there! 

I think a building like this is a great way of illustrating how homes can still look great architecturally whilst being sustainable, however I think it is important to realise that creating daring/exciting architecture can potentially alienate so many people and make them think that 'sustainable/zero carbon homes' are something 'scary'.


Sustainability needs to a topic that is easily approached by everyone.  People need to be aware that there is no reason why their traditional home can't be eco-friendly.