This paper describes the design of the Leechwell Garden House, a proposed low-carbon dwelling that addresses both the issues of the energy used in the running of the house and the embodied energy in the materials used in its construction. This design follows on from the Totnes House, an existing award-winning straw bale and timber house that performs as well as buildings built to the most stringent contemporary standards (Passivhaus, Code for Sustainable Homes) despite facing northeast [1]. The Leechwell Garden House will build on the lessons learned from the design and monitoring of Totnes House to produce a comfortable dwelling that will use less energy in use than any comparable house whilst having a greatly reduced carbon debt from its construction materials.
Authors: CARFRAE, Jim; DEWILDE, Pieter; 2017