A winning competition entry for Ecos Homes on a unique, beautiful riverside location gave Stride Treglown the opportunity to design two types of low energy housing, both in terrace form, with differing orientations to make the most of a natural site. Externally the new homes use traditional materials in a contemporary way, drawn from the local vernacular. One terrace features a sunspace-based passive solar design utilising a high thermal mass solution while the other uses a timber frame highly insulated lightweight solution. Using these two housing types enables the client to undertake an “in use” analysis of the merits of each in a rural/urban location. The £1.7m development of 12 homes achieved an EcoHomes ‘excellent’ rating as well as winning several awards including the Building for Life Gold Standard.