Top 10 – The Best UK Eco-Houses

AR Design Studio- The Boat House, AR Design Studio AR Design Studio モダンな 家
Loading admin actions …

With eco-friendly design becoming hugely popular and sustainability becoming a real concern, we thought it was time to celebrate the innovators that have already sought to stop being part of the global problem and start making strides towards a greener future. We're talking, of course, about those that have commissioned and designed eco-houses!

If you're picturing nothing but hobbit houses and tree shacks, get them out of your mind right now, as we are going to show you the most stylish and future-proofed homes out there that are making sustainable living look so easy that it's a wonder that we aren't all doing it already. 

10. Courtyard House

A full-on eco-home in central London? Why not?! What's more, it will be astounding to look at! All that lovely wood makes this terrific home as beautiful as it is sustainable and what an accomplishment that is!

The design team explain this as, A single-storey courtyard house constructed on a constrained brown-field sloping site, built out to the perimeter whilst providing light and private views to the habitable rooms and avoiding overlooking of the surrounding properties.

Imagine the luxury of not being overlooked in London and knowing you are helping the environment too… what a way to start out top 10 eco-houses list!

9. The Pavillion Eco-House

E2 PAVILION ECO HOUSE, BLACKHEATH E2 Architecture + Interiors モダンな 家

’The Pavilion is located adjacent to Grade II listed building The Pagoda, designed by William Chambers. With a brief to make the most energy efficient and contemporary house on a site that is overshadowed for half the day by large trees with root protection zones on all sides, this project was a challenge from the start, in every way. This low-carbon contemporary home includes sustainable features such as passive solar design, earth sheltered lower ground, green roofs and a natural swimming pool and will achieve Level 5 on the Code for Sustainable Homes.’

There's no arguing with those eco-credentials but it's this design that has really astounded us. Blink and you'd almost miss it, but once you've noticed it, you can't ever stop coveting! 

8. The Boat House

AR Design Studio- The Boat House, AR Design Studio AR Design Studio モダンな 家

The design team in charge of this project said, The Boathouse was conceived to serve as a tranquil retreat away from the main house – an 18th century converted barn. The concept was that it should float over the lake and provide a quiet hide-away with calming views over the still water. The building is situated in the beautiful Cotswolds, within the Lower Mill Estate, and consists of a 4-legged steel frame structure sitting on concrete piles sunk into the lake bed. The construction and appearance are highly contemporary, but the use of traditional materials such as neutral oak and slate acknowledges its rural setting.

With efficient glazing and a woodburner in place, this retreat is perfectly able to regulate itself come warm or cold weather and we think it is such a lovely little addition to a traditional site.

7. Pond House Passive House

Pond House_Passive House (Passivhaus), Forrester Architects Forrester Architects モダンな 家

Simply stunning, this amazing Passive House was designed and built in full compliance with a client brief that ensured the eco-nature of the home was a top priority. 

The design team reveals, ’Its general arrangement has been designed to benefit from the abundance of readily available natural resources; natural light, passive solar gains and a simple building form are all drawn from the local environment. A number of key factors were instrumental in establishing a brief for the new home. From the outset the client was keen to provide an environmentally responsive and sustainably designed solution with the garden pond to remain a central feature.’

With it's unusual contours and shapes, this was a sure-fire inclusion in our top 10 eco-houses list, but knowing just how important it was that the home be sustainable and connected to its surroundings really confirms that we were right to love it!

6. Schoolmasters Eco-House

Schoolmasters eco house build different モダンな 家

We couldn't bring you our top 10 eco-houses list without looking at this beautiful home, found in Scotland. The modular nature of the build ensures aesthetic values are high, but it's the green credentials that are really impressive!

The single storey house utilises Passivhaus design principals and renewable technologies to ensure lower running costs. The house is powered by a 5.5kw solar PV array and a biomass stove. A solar switch diverts any export electricity to heat the 500 litre water store. The pellet stove provides any additional heat that may be required in winter. Adopting a ‘fabric first’ approach, the super insulated, airtight structure features south facing triple glazed windows and doors. Mechanical ventilation heat recovery recycles and keeps the internal air fresh and warm. Tyvek reflective membranes help keep heat in the building.

5. M House

M House JAMIE FALLA モダンな 家 木 木目調

Eco-houses always seek to get the best value from their designs and look to not only support sustainable construction, but also longevity. Once an eco-house is built, it should serve to be as self-perpetuating as possible and with careful heating, power and insulation plans put into practice this is simple to achieve.

We love this open plan home that makes light work of ticking all the eco-boxes and thanks to super insulation and a woodburner, the impact of running it will be far less than standard homes. The view is making us desperate to get off-grid too!

4. Camusdarach Sands House

House At Camusdarach Sands Main Elevation Raw Architecture Workshop モダンな 家

Found in Orkney, this spectacular house was always going to be in our top 10 eco-houses list and we love being able to revisit it to take in the splendour again! Just the drama of that black cladding and exposed concrete is making us fall in love with the property all over again!

The design team relate that, The clients, a young couple already living and working in this isolated location, were keen that we develop the proposals to capture the spectacular sun rise views over the mountains and sun set behind the islands. Given the topography of the site our early response was to locate the living spaces on the upper portion of the plot, with sleeping accommodation and entry level stacked below. Environmental considerations vary in scale and type, from building position and orientation, local labour, skills and materials, to the inclusion of an air source heat pump and super insulation to provide a U-Value of 0.15 [W/m2k] to walls and roof.

If there was room for us, we'd be asking to move in here in a heartbeat!

3. Limpley Stoke Eco-House

​Limpley Stoke Eco House, Hewitt Studios Hewitt Studios

A really unusual site meant that this house was designed to fit perfectly, not adapt it in any way.

The design team says, The building form derives from the environmental constraints of the site, running approximately east-west along its contours. The roof of the upper storey slopes away from the hillside, preserving the views of the houses behind and reducing the visible height from across the valley. The dwelling was designed with best sustainable practice in mind, using a combination of active and passive sustainable technologies: Carbon Sequestering Materials, chiefly timber; were chosen as the primary structure and cladding. Straw Insulation; gives excellent breathability, thermal inertia and insulation, combined with negative embodied carbon.

Who says that eco-houses have to be odd looking? We think this is the epitome of contemporary chic and the fact that it will serve to protect our environment for years to come only makes it more appealing!

2. Bourne Lane Eco-House

Rear elevation of ​Bourne Lane eco-house in Kent at twilight Nash Baker Architects Ltd モダンな 家 ガラス

This modern eco-house by Nash Baker Architects is conceived as a contemporary interpretation of the Kentish barn style with characteristic black timber cladding, the bold structure nestles into the surrounding landscape with consideration for the area’s local heritage through the use of high quality, locally sourced materials.

Despite having been designed with local heritage in mind, we love that this new build offers sustainability and hope for the future. Modest and outlandish all at once, this is one of our favourite eco-houses for good reason and we think the design team perfectly captured the requisite balance between aesthetics and awareness. 

1. Meadowview

Meadowview, Platform 5 Architects Platform 5 Architects モダンな 家

Modern design is really breathtaking, isn't it? When you realise that it can contribute to a better tomorrow as well, you know that we have found something truly special.

We love this sustainable home, which is located on the edge of a ribbon development village in rural Bedfordshire. The location is truly stunning. Surrounded by trees, fields, and greenery for as far as the eye can see, this house is a respite from city life. The property blends in with its surroundings and has been designed to appear as though it's floating over the hedgerows.

The smooth chestnut-clad exterior is modern yet respectful of the surroundings and the large windows, which wrap around the lower floor, blur the barrier between indoors and out, creating harmony between domestic and natural spaces.

Simply stunning and the perfect home to end our Top 10 eco-houses list with! To read about a couple of prefabricated eco-houses, keep scrolling.

For more Top 10 fun, take a look at this Ideabook: Top 10 – The Best Eccentric British Homes. If different and eye-catching are for you, we think you'll be inspired!


Bonus: House Rushworth prefabricated eco-home

House Rushworth: a dream home with beautiful views Baufritz (UK) Ltd. プレハブ住宅 木 木目調 downsizing, sustainable, German quality, timber, pre-fabricated, healthy, eco

Have you ever thought eco kit houses couldn't be an option for you? You may want to reconsider when you see this modern and functional beauty by Baufritz, another wonderful UK builder based in Cambridge.

Prefabricated, this eco-home combines contemporary architecture and eco-friendly construction.

Baufritz offers the ability to downsize while not compromising on quality. Eco-homes are their specialty — and they know how to build an optimal home to make the most out of a small space.

House Rushworth is no exception. It was built on a simple idea for a beautiful and sustainable eco-home.

This particular eco-house was built to face the natural landscape in just the right way, maximizing the stunning views of the countryside. A wide patio area and long balcony allow residents to take leisure outside and enjoy the sun. We have plenty of balcony inspiration for you to peruse.

With such limited light in the UK, eco-homes with lots of windows or a spacious outdoor area might be a smart option for you. The home was built with high-quality German materials and made to be energy efficient. Inside, the interior design is simple but tasteful, making use of the natural light from the large windows.

Prefabricated eco-homes, especially in the UK, are made to be more compact. If you're intrigued, contact Baufritz to discuss your options.



Bonus: House Benett prefabricated eco-home

Townhouse Benett Baufritz (UK) Ltd. プレハブ住宅 木 木目調

Interested in eco kit houses but not sure if you want to downsize? You won't have to compromise on size to gain sustainability. Another Baufritz stunner, this three-storey prefabricated eco-house is just outside of London. This home is family-friendly and located in a quiet, green suburb. Baufritz was able to adapt the home's design to fit that of the neighbourhood, with a contemporary yet fresh design. A large oak door is framed by a crisp white exterior. Built with low-carbon construction processes, this eco-home was made with German materials such as timber (rather than steel) and other biodegradable substances.

With 4230 sq ft, this home would comfortably fit a large family. The living room and kitchen of this home really shine — modern and clean, yet inviting. There are plenty of windows throughout the home to let in light, a hallmark of an optimal eco-home. The white interior gives the home a more open and airy feel as well.


We hope you enjoyed looking through these eco-friendly home ideas! If you're not ready to purchase an eco-home but love the concept, try changing up your garden.

We've seen eco-friendly houses on the outside… but what about the inside?

Interior of Beach House - Edge of Cliff Arco2 Architecture Ltd ミニマルデザインの リビング beach front property, beach house, seaview property, eco friendly house, sustainably built house, property Cornwall, eco home Cornwall, Wooden Home, Low impact home, passive house,

This eco-house features a sleek, modern living room where you could cosy up for a movie night. Eco homes like this one have sustainable features that can reduce costs. This is perhaps one of the biggest benefits of owning an eco-home. There are professionals who can help you source materials locally to build a beautiful and beneficial home. Prefabricated eco-homes, customised to your liking and completely adaptable, are also available in the UK. They include all materials needed, so they're fairly straightforward to build. This would be a great option if you'd like to build a home all on your own.

Eco-homes can be stunning and innovative.

E2 PAVILION ECO HOUSE, BLACKHEATH E2 Architecture + Interiors モダンスタイルの 玄関&廊下&階段

With the combination of stunning architecture, exquisite interiors, and smart, sustainable features, it's hard not to want an eco-home yourself. We hope we've cleared up any misconstrued ideas you had about eco-houses prior to reading, and that you'll consider buying one in the future. We believe eco-homes will be a great asset, both for your wallet and for the planet.


Or, if you're already convinced that an eco-home is perfect for you, consider these pros and cons of large windows.

住宅建設や家のリフォームをお考えですか?
ぜひご連絡下さい!

注目の特集記事