The contemporary houses are made from locally sourced timber. Courtesy The Lakes by yoo
The contemporary houses are made from locally sourced timber. Courtesy The Lakes by yoo
The contemporary houses are made from locally sourced timber. Courtesy The Lakes by yoo
The contemporary houses are made from locally sourced timber. Courtesy The Lakes by yoo

Hot Property: The Lakes by yoo, The Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, UK

Sleek and sustainable best describe these glass-fronted homes that are powered by solar panels, rainwater harvesting and wind turbines, and have a dedicated on-site ecology manager responsible for creating and maintaining local wildlife and flora.

Panna Munyal

June 04, 2015

  • English
  • Arabic

Set around a network of six lakes on a disused quarry in The Cotswolds, this 650-acre development by the international design firm yoo combines country living with urban luxury. Each house is built on a one-acre woodland plot and can be custom-selected in terms of number of bedrooms (between four and six); interiors from the big-name designers in the yoo stable - including Jade Jagger and Kelly Hoppen; and energy-efficient solutions.
While the double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows and large decked areas extending over the water ensure a great deal of natural light, a number of sustainable-living options are also on offer. Choose between two kinds of eco-cooling systems - wall-mounted and ceiling-suspended - which are more efficient than standard air-conditioning units and reduce carbon dioxide emissions and electricity costs. The windows of each home, too, come with either solar-control glass, which cuts out destructive ultraviolet rays, or reflective window film, which reduces the Sun's heat in the summer and heat loss in the winter.
The kitchen runs on biomass heating, which means if the wood comes from a sustainable forest, there will be no carbon emissions whatsoever. The rainwater-harvesting and solar-water-heating systems further the promise of ethical living. Plus, all construction material is sourced from eco-conscious local suppliers, including Russian Larch timber, tiles by Stow, and door and window fittings from the Almondsbury Forge.
Canoeing, hiking and fishing are available as is a sprawling spa and swimming pool. Elle Macpherson, Kate Winslet and Kate Moss are potential neighbours.
Houses cost between £900,000 and £4 million (up to Dh22 million), which is inclusive of a dedicated concierge service and housekeeping facilities to ensure your property is maintained all year round.
pmunyal@thenational.ae

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