Bespoke home, Casa Batroun, receives a BREEAM rating of Excellent

The objective was to double the existing surface area in an exemplary eco-friendly way, demonstrating that this is possible in a country where the tendency has often been to destroy old heritage and replace beautiful living spaces with characterless concrete high rise buildings.

• Reuse of the existing building façade
• Natural, low toxicity, breathable materials
• Bio-climatic design enhancing cross-ventilation and eliminating the need for cooling systems
• Energy efficiency through carefully studied window positioning, shading devices, and natural eco-friendly thermal insulation
• LED lighting and zoning of lighting
• Solar water heating panels for domestic water
• Wood pellet stoves for space heating
• Rainwater harvesting for irrigation and toilet flushing
• Low water fixtures and low energy appliances
• Vegetated green roof and garden with native plants
• Photovoltaics for electricity generation currently under way

Some of the key benefits that came from the sustainable solutions included adequate daylighting and views. Designing to Lifetime Homes standard and an adequate amount of private space provided. The home also has proximity to amenities and public transport, with bicycle racks installed and space for home office provided.

Throughout the home, energy efficient lighting, a solar hot water system and space heating with wood pellet stoves provide very low-energy consumption. In addition to this, energy-efficient white goods were installed and were properly insulated using building fabric.