Stunning and sustainable: Surrey’s Claremont House  

The impressive triple-height entrance hall features a floating steel and oak staircase with glass balustrade and statement light fittings. The herringbone oak floor, which runs throughout the ground floor, is by Ted Todd. Crittall doors into the kitchen ensure the light is maximised and there is a cloakroom and wine storage room handily positioned off the hallway.  

The homeowner chose an Urban Front Porto front door in iroko with an option 11 handle, which adds warmth to the silver brick and grey windows. The bricks, twice as long as standard, are only 38mm high, which creates a contemporary aesthetic.  Add wood cladding and a double garage and the result is modern and striking.  

Sustainability was a key part of the brief. As a result, the home is not connected to mains gas and an air source heat pump provides hot water, underfloor heating, and chilled water for the air conditioning system. In-roof solar panels reduce reliance on the electricity grid and are connected two storage batteries, which store electricity for the property and the family’s two electric cars. 

The house is designed to be highly airtight and uses a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system to circulate air. The mechanical and electrical services are controlled via a smart home system for convenience and energy efficiency. The system also manages security, lighting and entertainment.