Have you ever dreamt about an eco lake house? How’s this for an inspiration? Mark Kingsley Architects bureau has built this wonderful lake retreat for the Somerset Earth Science Centre. The 222 square metre building has cost £510,000 to build but hey, don’t be afraid. You can build a similar retreat over a pond or a small lake for a much lower price. The biggest challenge of these types of build is to secure the foundation. The easiest way is to make a pillar foundation. This house is using a ground source heat pump. Did you know that if you go for the pillar foundation you can incorporate the heat pump pipes in the pillars? Saves money.
Other green home features include ventilation heat recovery system and a 6kW wind turbine producing 15,000kWh per year, which is more than enough for a build like this.
Look at the details. The railing along the pond continues the house’s railing thus helping it blend within the landscape.
One of Mark Kingsley’s most acclaimed projects is Trinity Primary eco-school in Bath built in 2004.
The Earth Science centre was formally opened last summer and now welcomes school children, geologists, university students, adult history groups and local interest groups. All Centre services are free of charge. The Centre is managed by a charitable company with running costs underwritten by the Mendip Quarry. The largest company quarrying for building materials around there is Tarmac Ltd. All this shows how heavy industry can co-exist with a sustainable development. If you’d like to inspect this lovely building, here’s the whereabouts: Somerset Earth Science Centre, Moons Hill Quarry, Mendip Road, Stoke St.Michael, Radstock, Somerset BA3 5JU.
Pics courtesy of: kingsleyarchitects.com
Also visit: earthsciencecentre.org.uk
