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Green Build

Creating great designs for buildings is one thing. Creating great designs that can be built using the very latest concepts in eco-build is another thing all together.

Right from the start we wanted residences that not only offered supreme luxury but also offered very little in terms of carbon footprint. Fortunately it was about compromise but more about taking the time to consider the impact we would have on the environment and how to minimize that whilst at the same time making use of the astonishing resources we already had at our disposal.

Sustainable Timber

To begin with we had to consider the infrastructure itself. Sustainable timber was a given as far as that was concerned. Then the residences themselves were lifted from the ground encouraging a living space beneath the structures themselves. A concept mirrored on the roof where we chose a sedum (grass) 'liing' roof which would grow and change with the seasons themselves.

Even something as simple as insulation presented us with the opportunity to implement new ideas with recycled paper and glass providing the perfect material to achieve the rating we wanted with the least impact.

Solar Glazing

Solar glazing was an easy choice but the particular type of glazing we chose was designed to make use of the large area of glass inherent in the design of building, absorbing and retaining the heat of the day to be available in the evening.

Natural Spring Water

Wherever possible we strive to use the natural resources around us in a positive way. An example of this approach can be found at our Yorkshire Dales location where the water supply came straight from the natural spring water source on the site itself and was used for both drinking and shower facilities The very latest in environmental sewage systems was employed thanks to the installation of the Klargester sewage treatment system, which provides a reliable, efficient and environmentally safe solution for sewage disposal needs. It's ideal for locations where discharge is to sub-surface irrigation, or to a suitable watercourse where approved by the Environment Agency, or appropriate regulating Body and where a septic tank will not meet the required standard.

Sympathetic Landscaping

Landscaping around the residences required a sympathetic approach with the use of indigenous trees and shrubs to help screen residences and create a site that retained its natural beauty and blended with the environment.

All of the activity undertaken was underpinned by the Nature Conservation Management Plan which is implemented as a matter of course at all Natural Retreats sites to ensure we work with our natural surroundings to create extraordinary developments that are as sympathetic to their surroundings as they are luxurious and sustainable.

Sedum roofing

Solar glazing

Sustainable timber