The old house was severed from the garden and grounds by a 2-metre wall. The house has been reconnected with the landscape by careful and strategic placement of windows and gateways. Details of the environmentally friendly features follow in our photographic record.

Works for Passive Solar heating and ventilation: an Internal-External connection of the house and garden

Reused terracotta tiling allows thermal sink. Large south facing windows with heat shield over allow solar heating in winter but shade in summer. Not forgetting the wonderful views over the valley...

The former wine cellar conversion to 'snug' lounge space (30 sq.m.) - cool in summer, warm in winter. A crucial corner connection to the middle floor allows cool air draw through in summer and heated air in winter. The ceramic wood burning stove heats the interior when necessary. Glass brick installation reflects rippling shadow from the rainwater and irrigation pond. With views over the valley...

Light from darkness...

Roof at the perfect angle allows sunlight to penetrate only to a comfortable depth into the kitchen in spring/summer

New internal staircase provides ventilation as convection draws air through the house. The upper level is opened to the roof with velux window panels releasing warm air in summer and drawing cool air through. In winter, the fully insulated upper level remains warmed by the sun. Passive solar heating from the south facing windows heats the lower floors. A wood burning stove adds heat which convects up through the two stairwells. The lower kitchen range heats the incoming air in winter.

To be continued ...