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Bespoke Low-Energy Home in Dorset

HM Construction was appointed to transform an existing 1960s chalet bungalow near Beaminster, Dorset, into a contemporary, energy-efficient home designed for comfortable retirement living and entertaining guests.

Working closely with designer Tony Browne from Design-projects, the original plans involved extending and renovating the existing property. However, once construction began, it became apparent that the building's structure was unsuitable for the proposed renovation.

Following careful consideration, the decision was made to demolish the existing dwelling and construct a bespoke replacement home. This provided an opportunity to incorporate significantly higher levels of insulation and energy-efficient technologies, creating a property designed around near-Passivhaus principles.

The new home was constructed using a bespoke timber frame, incorporating mineral wool insulation alongside an additional internal layer of PIR insulation. Particular attention was given to construction junctions to minimise heat loss, thermal bridging and air leakage, resulting in a highly insulated and airtight building envelope.

One of the project's main challenges involved establishing a reliable water supply. With the existing pipeline deemed unusable and connecting to a new mains supply proving prohibitively expensive, HM Construction explored the possibility of drilling a private borehole.

Following the discovery of substantial underground aquifers, a borehole was successfully installed and commissioned, providing the property with its own private water supply.

Sustainability was a central consideration throughout the build. The home incorporates an air source heat pump with underfloor heating, alongside a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system. The combination of high insulation levels, airtight construction and heat recovery helps minimise heating requirements, with the homeowners reporting that additional heating is rarely needed.

A solar PV array paired with Victron battery storage also provides renewable electricity generation and storage, supporting the property's ability to operate independently of the electricity grid.

Additional features include high-performance composite windows and doors, along with a private sewage treatment plant, further supporting the home's independent infrastructure.

Throughout the project, HM Construction worked closely with both the designer and homeowners, carefully considering each stage of the construction process and the finer details of the completed home.

The result is a distinctive low-energy property that combines contemporary design, high-quality finishes and carefully integrated sustainable technologies. The project also reflects the importance HM Construction places on building lasting relationships with clients, with a friendship continuing long after construction was completed.