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feature
white house, bristol
“The house is more than a head turner, it is a really lovely environment to live in. It feels calm and connected and the layout that we developed with Barefoot is one hundred percent right. The way the house connects to the garden means that we are in and out all the time, which makes it a very sociable space.” Roofl ights let light in and act as chimney vents for night-time cooling, and by opening up the rear elevation, the garden feels like an integral part of the house. Using beautiful clay and lime plasters, and plenty of Douglas fi r joinery, a palette of natural fi nishes and a muted but earthy colour scheme is created. A contemporary plywood kitchen, and terrazzo bathroom standout in a calm but modern interior. Healthy for the owners, good for the planet The retrofi t follows a fabric-fi rst approach, supported by an air source heat pump, MVHR system and photovoltaic array to signifi cantly reduce operational energy use and carbon emissions. The masonry walls of the original home were kept for thermal mass, and clay plaster used for hygroscopy along with wood fi bre external wall insulation for better thermal stability. A series of timber solar-shading fi ns and a two-storey pergola help regulate solar gain while giving the building its distinctive, mediterranean architectural character. Ecological materials were used
throughout, reducing VOC’s off -gassing and promoting healthy living as well as a lower carbon footprint. The long hot summer of 2026 Sustainable design went hand in hand with designing for a warming climate. On the exterior the house combines louvres, overhangs and canopies to shade generous windows.
The garden is integral to the design, featuring a natural swimming pond and biodiverse planting that provides shade, habitat and year-round interest and keeps the house cool. Together, the house and landscape create a healthy, sustainable and joyful place to live. After their fi rst summer in the house – this year’s record breaking hot summer – James and Ellie have adjusted to the rhythms of natural ventilation, adapting easily to the heatwave thanks to the home’s smart passive design. While the house is well insulated, opening up the sky hatch at night funnels cool air through the house at night – supported by using the MVHR‘s cool and boost settings using cheap night-time electricity tariff s. While climbing plants establish themselves on the pergolas temporary UV screens bring additional shading to ensure the house remains a cool oasis. Sam describes the home as one that
“feels more Mediterranean villa than suburban retrofi t. The natural pool really caps it off providing natural cooling, an amenity for wildlife and a beautiful place for a daily dip!” White House demonstrates how an existing home can be completely reimagined through thoughtful design, combining contemporary architecture, natural materials and low-energy living in a beautiful family home. James commented that: “If we were to imagine a house that makes us feel excited and fortunate everyday, this would be it!” Thinking beyond this single domestic
retrofi t, Sam refl ects, “Sometimes retrofi t can be seen as a compromise. We think it’s an opportunity – an opportunity to reduce carbon, preserve embodied energy, create healthier homes, and design places with more character than many new builds can off er.”
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