Sandy designed Applewood, this amazing house near Burford, in the Cotswolds for her parents. It was her passion to design an earth sheltered house, having done a project as a student and visited projects in America. They found a plot when they went to the British Earth Sheltered Association (no longer in existence)
The house that she created, sits into a south facing slope and has all the amenities of a normal family house, with the extra luxury of a small swimming pool, all run for the price of a standard house, because it is so well insulated.
The accommodation comprises of 4 bedrooms, 2 on the entrance level with bathroom and 2 more on the upper level via the open plan living spaces, with the kitchen, dining and living spaces zoned and interconnecting. Tucked away into the hillside is a large utility room.
The property is heated by a ground source heat pump. Natural light comes from a variety of windows and roof lights, integrated into the garden, inspired by cold frames.
Utilising the fact that the temperature of the ground is stable all year round fluctuating by only 8-10 degrees, which makes it easier to keep cool in summer and warm in winter. It also integrates the house into its setting.
The house across the lane is mentioned in the Doomsday book and Applewood is certainly deferential to it.
Although at Pride Road, we only design extensions and renovations, Sandy brings her critical thinking and fabulous designs and all her projects.
The quality of light is amazing and we love being warm and our heating bills are tiny.
Janet and Malcolm Cole