"In just one week, our new energy-efficient coastal home was completed - take a look!"
In a picturesque location near Chichester, a couple named Peter and Liz Bosson embarked on an exciting venture to replace their worn-out holiday home. After selling their family company, they were ready to invest in a new abode that would stand the test of time.
Their vision was clear: a four-bedroom house, all of the same size, capable of accommodating ten people when needed. But this wasn't just any ordinary home; Peter and Liz aimed to construct a self-sufficient dwelling with an airtight structure that wouldn't leak heat, and a focus on energy efficiency to minimise their environmental impact.
To achieve this goal, they turned to a team of experts who advised on various aspects, including the installation of an insulated beam and block foundation, posi-joists for the floor structures, and the fitting of a bespoke contemporary picture rail.
A key focus for constructing an energy-efficient coastal house with smart home integration centres around maximising insulation, reducing energy consumption, and using renewable energy, while optimising comfort and resilience to coastal conditions.
Common design features include high-performance glazing, super-insulated building envelopes, renewable energy systems, advanced climate control, smart home technologies, sustainable materials, and natural integration.
The new home boasts triple-glazed windows and advanced insulation materials to minimise heat loss or gain, critical in coastal environments to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. The walls, roof, and floors utilise structural insulated panels (SIPs) to minimise thermal bridging and achieve excellent airtightness, reducing heating and cooling demands.
To provide sustainable, off-grid or grid-tied power generation, solar photovoltaic panels, solar thermal hot water systems, and sometimes wind turbines paired with battery storage have been integrated into the design. This setup supports energy independence during outages common in coastal areas.
Modern HVAC systems, such as aerothermal heat pumps, underfloor cooling, or zoned heating/cooling, have been tailored to the home layout to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Passive cooling strategies like natural ventilation, vertical solar chimneys, and whole-house fans reduce reliance on mechanical air conditioning.
Smart home technologies, like integrated smart thermostats, automated lighting, energy management systems, and security controls, optimise energy usage and provide convenient monitoring and adjustment capabilities remotely, increasing overall efficiency and resilience.
Sustainable materials, such as locally sourced stained cedar cladding or eco-friendly insulation, along with open floor plans and indoor-outdoor living spaces, improve environmental compatibility and occupant well-being.
Regarding self-build routes, energy-efficient coastal homes can be constructed using modular and prefabricated methods, SIPs or timber frame kits, or by collaborating with architects or sustainability experts. These approaches ensure sustainability, comfort, and resilience appropriate for coastal climates.
Peter and Liz's new home, with its reclaimed timber and concrete worktop kitchen, drawers instead of cupboards for easy access, and a first-floor balcony maximising the available sea views, is a testament to their commitment to energy efficiency and coastal resilience. The original house's poor use of space and circulation has been addressed, with the new home designed to be future-proofed with clever design features.
The proximity to the beach, a long-standing selling point of the property, remains unchanged, making Peter and Liz's self-build replacement a perfect blend of modern efficiency and timeless coastal charm.
- Peter and Liz aimed to construct a self-sufficient dwelling with an airtight structure, focusing on energy efficiency to minimise environmental impact.
- To maximise insulation and reduce energy consumption, they utilised structural insulated panels (SIPs) for walls, roof, and floors, and installed triple-glazed windows.
- To provide sustainable power, solar photovoltaic panels and solar thermal hot water systems have been integrated into the design.
- Modern HVAC systems, like aerothermal heat pumps and underfloor cooling, have been tailored to the home layout to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
- The new home's interior features include a reclaimed timber and concrete worktop kitchen, drawers instead of cupboards, and a first-floor balcony maximising sea views.
- The home's design follows a concept of common features, such as high-performance glazing, super-insulated building envelopes, and smart home technologies.
- To optimise comfort and resilience in coastal conditions, passive cooling strategies like natural ventilation and vertical solar chimneys have been implemented.
- By collaborating with architects or sustainability experts, self-build routes can ensure sustainability, comfort, and resilience appropriate for coastal climates.
- With smart home technologies, Peter and Liz can optimise energy usage and monitor the home remotely, increasing overall efficiency and resilience in their energy-efficient coastal home.
