This single storey dwelling is designed around existing protected trees within a Conservation Area. Internal brick bathrooms have rooflights open to the sky; providing thermal mass and structural stability. Externally the house is clad in a mixture of timber and ‘green walls’, with hidden courtyards and unexpected views.

The site is located in an area of tree-filled gardens on the western outskirts of Cambridge. The planning policy at the time was strictly against back garden development and a previous proposal was refused at appeal. A tree preservation order covers 50% of the site,in the centre whichis a mature Liquid Amber which provided focus for the L-shaped plan. Previous owners were unable to convince planners that a development this size was acceptable, but realising that the character and biodiversity of the site would be maintainedthe planners gave this project their blessing.

The house is timber frame construction, enclosing a hidden south-facing garden, from which it is entered after passing through a brick gatehouse extension to the existing house. The building initially appears to be thermally lightweight. However a spatial strategy which introduces a series of smaller more thermally massive brick spaces between larger rooms makes the building more thermallystable. This spatial arrangement accords with the low embodied energy and exploitation of ambient energy sources and allows a structural strategy in which the glulam beams that support the roof span between these smaller rooms to give the building a central spine, increasing its stability and allowing the east wing to carry a sedum roof. The building has displacement pile foundations, chosen for least disturbance to tree roots. The building has been constructed with high u-values, high levels of air tightness and breathing walls using natural hemp/cotton insulation and formaldehyde free wood fibre board internally with breather membrane and rainscreen cladding externally.