Rural low energy home for first-time self-builders

Rural, low-energy home for first-time self-builders

Nestled in the tranquil landscape of Nenthorn, Roxburghshire, White Horse Cottage embodies a fusion of design excellence, efficiency, and innovation. Visionary homeowners George Boath and Jeneane Ezzell collaborated closely with architect Philip Benton of Vellow Wood to realise their dream of a sustainable, energy-efficient home.

After selling their Gloucestershire home in 2021, George and Jeneane struggled to find a house that ticked all their boxes. It was a work colleague who first suggested that they might consider looking for a plot and embark on a self-build project. With its warm, light-filled interiors and advanced energy systems, White Horse Cottage balances design, sustainability and budget to deliver a unique eco-home.

Sustainable design that connects to its surroundings

Central to the vision is the self-builders’ sustained commitment to energy efficiency and eco-conscious living. Furthermore, the four-bedroomed layout has been carefully crafted with dedicated spaces for work, leisure and socialising.

White Horse Cottage’s geometry and roof lines create a striking appearance, and its careful massing ensures it fits naturally into its rural setting while maintaining individualism.

The design respects the local architectural vernacular: the house’s ridge height and materials—a slate roof, white render, and timber accents—honour the village’s character, while windows with a vertical emphasis nod to traditional Scottish architecture.

At the heart of their timber frame home is a striking barn-style living area featuring vaulted ceilings and expansive glazing that frames breathtaking views of the Tweed Valley and Cheviot Hills. The resulting space is infused with natural light. It fosters a sense of well-being and serenity, fulfilling the owners’ desire for a home that balances comfort with a deep connection to the outdoors.

Timber Frame for energy efficiency, speed and flexibility

After consulting with an architect friend, George and Jeneane realised that “virtually any design can be achieved with any construction method.” However, with its superior insulation and airtightness, a prefabricated timber frame stood out as the ideal solution. It allowed them to bring their design vision to life within budget while ensuring a swift and efficient build process.

Choosing a specification with additional insulation afforded a highly thermally efficient building envelope that exceeds energy performance standards: the average U-value is 0.16.

George acknowledges that he and Jeneane “aren’t blessed with a lot of patience”, so speed was another factor in their decision-making process. “We weren’t prepared to sit and wait for the time it would take for a stick build or brick and block” continues George “so speed of construction was the number one reason we chose timber frame, along with our desire to create a sustainable eco-home”. The couple moved into their home in record time – just six months from breaking ground.

Eco-consciousness as a guiding principle

Energy efficiency was pivotal in every aspect of the George and Jeneane’s timber frame self-build.

They decided to invest substantially in sustainable features that would ensure the home remains cost-effective and efficient for years to come. High performing triple glazing was chosen to minimise heat loss while adding to the home’s overall insulation envelope. Moreover, the home is equipped with blinds for solar shading and ceiling fans to ensure optimal air circulation and maintain a comfortable temperature during warmer months. Along with the installation of an air-source heat pump, a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system and solar panels, energy consumption has successfully been reduced to a minimal cost of £20 per month (excluding standing charges).

The couple are consummate re-users, which delivers additional charm to their home as well as keeping down costs. Old scaffold boards have been repurposed as floating shelves and pantry bracing, while surplus Siberian larch from the gable ends has been used for the stair balustrade. Previously functional buildings have been converted: a hay store is now a firewood and bin storage area, and stables have been transformed into a garden store and barbecue room. Even the garage workbench was crafted from leftover construction timber. This thoughtful approach to repurposing not only minimised waste, but also gives White Horse Cottage a unique and quirky character.

Exceptional Service

As first-time self-builders, George and Jeneane chose Fleming Homes for their flexibility and superior level of support. “We felt more than just a number. Working with their team from the outset was an exceptional experience offering invaluable support.” says the couple, “Fleming Homes’ willingness to work with us on individual components, combined with the prompt and personal communications, always responsive within hours, made a significant difference to our experience of purchasing a self-build timber frame.”

Want to build a home that combines comfort with your values and design aspirations? Get in touch with Fleming Homes.