Award-winning renovation slashes mid-century home’s carbon footprint by 80%

London-based architecture firm Coppin Dockray completed a green house renovation that’s so successful it cut carbon emissions by 80 percent. Located on a steep wooded slope in the historic Wiltshire village of Antsy, the rural home, named Ansty Plum, comprises a 1960s house and small side annex that had fallen into severe disrepair.

Coppin Dockray restored the original structure to its former glory and added double glazing, extra insulation, and other features to boost its thermal efficiency and comfort.Topped with a distinctive sloped roof that mimics the steep terrain, Ansty Plum was originally designed by David Levitt in 1964 for former Arup partner and engineer Roger Rigby. The property also includes a studio annex later designed by Brutalist architects Peter and Alison Smithson. Both structures were significantly deteriorated by the time Coppin Dockray co-founder Sandra Coppin and her husband purchased the property six years ago. While the architects strived to preserve the buildings’ architectural integrity, the Ansty Plum renovation project required intensive and meticulous repair work, as well as additions to make the refurbishment fit for summer and winter living.

“These buildings were built when energy was cheap and the impact of fossil fuel consumption not well understood,” said Coppin Dockray. To boost energy efficiency, the architects added underfloor heating, double glazing, and extra insulation. The abundance of glazing lets in natural light to minimize the need for artificial lighting. The interior is finished in natural materials, including stone, white-painted brick, and warm-toned wood surfaces. The bedrooms are located on the upper level, while an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area occupy the first floor and overlook the gardens. The project won the award for ‘Best Renovation’ in the 2015 Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards.