Weston Homes has launched an experimental fourbedroom eco house in Chigwell, Essex, which it says “has been designed to help minimise its impact on the environment, without skimping on luxury”.
Set across three storeys, The Retreat features a home cinema room and each room has the ability to control the lighting and mood via an iPad or iPhone. These can also be used to control the heating and ventilation, CCTV cameras, opening and closing the pedestrian and vehicle gates, and the curtains and blinds. It also boasts a gym, sauna, cinema and games room, as well as an outdoor swimming/plunge pool and extensive barbeque area.
But despite the abundance of technology, The Retreat is built to Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Green features include a ground source heat pump, Awaduct heat exchanger, and high levels of solar gain from glazing.
Bob Weston, chairman and chief executive of Weston Homes, said: “Eco homes are often viewed as dull and boring; The Retreat is anything but. It boasts cutting-edge design and technology and is a fun, versatile home, perfect for relaxing with your family, entertaining friends or working. The Retreat will appeal to buyers looking for that extra touch of glamour which doesn’t cost the earth. It’s a delightful and fun home, comprising some seriously sophisticated materials and finishing touches, which puts it head and shoulders above virtually all homes currently being built in the UK.”
