A new-build four-bedroom house in the Cotswold AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) on a 2-acre plot including a paddock. The developer client wished to obtain planning permission for a house with the maximum allowable volume and floor area for the site that was also sensitive to its rural context in close proximity to two Grade II listed buildings on a working farm. The building form echoes agricultural buildings nearby, with its simple shape and low pitched roof. It aims to avoid stone cottage pastiche with a contextual but contemporary design for an energy efficient and sustainable family home. A simple palette of high quality materials £ local limestone walling, stone slate roof tiles, oak and lead, with high performance composite windows and doors £ complete the exterior design. Internally a double height space provides open plan living with kitchen and dining at ground floor level and links to the first floor bedrooms with a mezzanine landing. A ground floor bedroom with ensuite bathroom provides fully accessible living accommodation with level access to outside space. Taking a fabric first approach the building form will provide a highly energy efficient building, which could be built to Passivhaus standards. The compact form minimises heat losses, and glazing is located for optimal solar gain without overheating, and natural light. North facing windows are small to reduce heat losses. As a low energy building with land, a ground source heat pump is proposed as an appropriate renewable energy technology for the house. Image credit (Perspective): Peter Jarvis www.pjarvis.co.uk