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Both the winning Grand Design Best New House of the Year 2013 and the highly commended runner up featured an underfloor heating system designed and installed by Eco experts Terra Therma Limited in Essex.
Terra Therma are extremely proud to be part of the highly skilled construction team that built the award winning Long Farm in Reydon, Suffolk, which was designed by the owner of Long Farm, Architect Lucy Marston. Long Farm is also on the 19-strong shortlist vying for regional awards in the RIBA East awards.
Terra Therma, are delighted to have provided the underfloor heating and a Daikin Air Source Heat Pump heating and hot water system, incoprporating modern press fit plumbing components to provide an efficient and clean heating system that will require little to no annual maintenance. Due to Long Farm’s use as a second home, Terra Therma designed both the heating and hot water systems to be remotely controlled from the owners Smartphone or Tablet, allowing the family to arrive to a lovely warm home and a relaxing hot bath!
Terra Therma has founded a reputation for its experience in renewable energy technology. The firm is an expert in designing, installing and maintaining heat pumps and underfloor heating systems which are an economical and efficient method of heating homes or business premises.
From 150 entries, judges including presenter Kevin McCloud himself, the architect Phil Coffey and the interior designer Naomi Cleaver named the four best new buildings in Britain, two of which incorporated underfloor heating supplied by Terra Therma. Long Farm, a modern Suffolk farmhouse costing £555,861 to build, was the big favourite and this year’s competition winner, with The Two Wimbledon Houses in London by Andre Saltkykov coming runner up as highly commended. This project also received an underfloor heating system on all floors. The ‘Best Extension 2013’ was ‘Cut and Fold’ extension in Twickenham, London and the ‘Best Small Project 2013’ was a new-build in East London designed by Laura Dewe Mathews.
On Long Farm, the judges said, ‘We selected this project because of its crafty engagement with its context, and the way it modernises its vernacular to make a considered and contemporary scheme. We also chose it because of its breathtakingly calm interiors.’ The judges were also impressed by the fact that the house is ‘clearly of its time and inspiring as an example of 21st Century family sustainable living. It is at once generous and outward looking but also intimate and warm, tailored but flexible, and modern yet classic.’
Sustainable building features include: Highly insulated structure with timber frame injected with re-cycled newspaper insulation – minimising heat loss though walls, floors and roof. Air source heat pump for heating and hot water provision. Wood burning stoves provide a back up heating source.
Terra Therma Director Mark O’Brien says: ‘We are experts in what we do and are working with some of the world’s top architects, builders and experts in renewable technology and underfloor heating so it is no surprise that our work is gaining awards and recognition for the work we do. We give every project our full attention and design each project individually so our clients get the best cost effective and environmentally friendly system for them.
Visitors to Grand Designs Live were able to see a examples of Terra Therma’s underfloor heating on show inside the four room Eco-Tech House within the Technology Zone at the event.
Terra Therma can design underfloor heating with virtually any floor type, and with no radiators to work around, underfloor heating giving the designer a blank canvas to work from. Contact our team of friendly underfloor heating experts here
