Eco homes in the UK

Below, we discuss what an “eco home” actually is and highlight four exciting projects that showcase how forward-thinking design and technology are shaping the future of sustainable living in the UK.

Eco homes are designed to perform efficiently from the ground up, using materials and technologies that minimise energy consumption and environmental impact. As Nathan Kempson, our Senior Sustainability Consultant, explains, these homes typically follow a “fabric first approach” i.e. ensuring that the building envelope itself is high-performing before adding renewables. This means adding high-performing insulation to walls and roofs, ensuring that construction is airtight to prevent heat loss and using triple glazing to maintain occupant comfort all year round. 

In addition, modern eco homes tend to incorporate low or zero carbon systems such as air source heat pumps and solar panels to further reduce energy use. When well designed, they make the most of passive solar gains from the orientation of the building and thermal mass, capturing warmth naturally from the sun. Many exceptional eco homes take it one step further by using sustainable, natural, or recycled materials and integrating water-saving features like rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling. 

1) Hockerton Housing Project in Nottinghamshire

The Hockerton Housing Project is one of the UK’s earliest and most successful examples of sustainable community living. Established in 1996, this self-sufficient co-housing development was founded by residents who are determined to reduce their environmental impact through renewable energy and low-carbon design.

Comprising five earth-sheltered homes, the project achieves outstanding levels of insulation and airtightness, helping to maximise occupant comfort while reducing energy use. Each dwelling generates its own electricity from solar and wind power, and utilises rainwater harvesting and a shared lake to support sustainable water management. As a not-for-profit community, Hockerton also provides tours and training to inspire others on achieving sustainability in their own homes.

2) Verto Homes in Devon and Cornwall

Verto Homes is leading the charge in zero-carbon living, having developed an exciting portfolio of intelligent, sustainable properties that are designed to produce zero emissions and achieve exceptionally low running costs. Each eco-friendly home integrates advanced building controls, solar PV systems, high levels of insulation, and triple glazing, making for exceptionally airtight and efficient envelopes.

Verto Homes has already delivered 198 properties, with a further 122 currently in development. Each home produces around 3 tonnes of CO₂ annually, which is half the UK average of 6 tonnes, thanks to the company’s use of smart renewable systems and highly airtight construction. Verto offers homeowners a ‘zero bills’ guarantee in partnership with Octopus Energy, resulting in no energy costs for occupants. For a typical dual-fuel household, this translates into a potential annual saving of £3,458.

3) Meadow Road by Studio Bark in Tunbridge Wells

Not all sustainable housing starts from scratch. Studio Bark transformed a 19th Century villa named Meadow Road into a highly efficient modern home, achieving a 75% reduction in energy use through a deep retrofit approach.

The goal of this retrofit was to preserve the property’s heritage architecture while drastically improving its environmental performance. The design combines natural cork and sheep’s wool insulation with an air source heat pump, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), and triple-glazed windows, bringing the operational carbon down by 68%. This project demonstrates that the UK’s existing housing stock can also contribute to future energy standards through thoughtful retrofitting.

4) Ebbsfleet Garden City in Kent

Ebbsfleet Garden City is one of the UK’s most ambitious sustainable neighbourhoods, illustrating how green building practices can scale to community level. With up to 15,000 homes and 50 new parks and green spaces planned, the vision for Ebbsfleet is to deliver a sustainable development where everyone can make green choices and live healthy lives.

Each phase is specifically designed to either meet or exceed national efficiency benchmarks, focusing on aspects including sustainable transport, local amenities, and access to green space. The city’s design framework aligns with the Building for a Health Life standard and the government’s Future Home Standards, setting a strong precedent for sustainability in large-scale housing developments.

Looking to build the next generation of sustainable housing in the UK? At Encon Associates, we’re committed to driving long-lasting environmental change within the built environment, offering a full suite of sustainable building services all under one roof. From carrying out expert building and sustainability assessments to supporting pre-application requirements and planning conditions, we work alongside architects, developers, and contractors to ensure that every building meets the highest standards of sustainability.

Get in touch to discover how we can help you achieve your sustainability goals.