20 Avondale Road
Hove BN3 6ER
Oliver Heath's eco refurbishment of this 1960s detached house for his family in Hove was undertaken with the aim of reducing the house's carbon footprint and creating a great family home. Carbon emissions have been reduced by 66% from 10.9 to 3.77 tonnes a year, giving dramatic savings on energy bills.
The brick exterior has been transformed using insulating render and locally sourced sweet chestnut cladding. Natural materials and finishes have been used inside to create an eco chic interior, including reclaimed larch, Cumbrian slate, natural paints and recycled glass work surfaces. The house uses several cutting edge technologies including a heat recovery system, low energy LED lighting and benefits from a doubling of glazing on the ground floor to maximise natural light. But a good eco home is not simply about improving its technical specification; it's also about creating internal spaces that people enjoy living in and using. Oliver has used his design skills to create a home that reflects the culture of sustainability in practical and aesthetic ways.