Nature Features

The four-bedroom property uses a technique borrowed from 600-year-old medieval architecture. The house is part of Channel 4's Grand Designs series.

Richard Hawkes in his new home

It has been designed by the architect Richard Hawkes with structural design by Michael Ramage, who is based at the University of Cambridge Department of Architecture, and Philip Cooper, who teaches in the department and is a Director of ScottWilson Engineers. 

The main feature is its arched roof which is made from 26 thousand clay tiles. These were made from clay found only a few miles form the house.

The arch is called "timbrel vaulting", which uses thin bricks to create lightweight and durable buildings. The style is a traditional form in Catalonia and was popularised by architects such as Gaudi during the 19th century although the earliest known example comes from Valencia in 1382.

A closer view of the arch

The vault is self supporting and doesn't need steel beams etc. It is insulated with glass foam and retains heat efficiently.

Other heating comes from  solar energy through the UK's first example of a combination photovoltaic and thermal heating system, which is more efficient than other solar  technology.

An 11kW biomass boiler has also been installed to provide energy and electricity if the sun does not appear for days on end. The house is insulated throughout using recycled newspaper.

Richard Hawkes now lives in the house with his wife and young child.