Hockerton Housing Project

[1] Low carbon living is facilitated through the use of renewable energy, the water system, food grown on site, and the community's approach to work and transport.

The development consists of a terrace of five single story dwellings which are earth-sheltered at the rear (North), so that the ground surface slopes and blends smoothly into the field at the back.

Those rooms that are not so dependent on natural light, such as utility and bathing areas are located towards the rear of the homes.

The surrounding 40,000 square metre site allows for crop cultivation, the rearing of sheep and chickens, and self-sufficiency in water and energy.

[4] Two wind turbines and a solar photovoltaic system provide most of the energy required to run the homes.

Non-drinking water: Rainfall on the fields is channeled to a sump from where it is pumped to a reservoir to the north of the buildings.

[6] Each home, as part of the lease, undertakes to spend 300 unpaid hours per year on managing and maintaining the site, from the infrastructure of the energy and water systems through to lambing and growing food; and 300 paid hours per year supporting the joint business which runs tours and educational events, hosts away-days and consulting on both new and retrofit energy efficient building.