Long Crendon Eco Home

Hewn designed a contemporary, low-energy family home in rural Buckinghamshire, combining prefabricated construction with a warm, adaptable domestic architecture shaped by its landscape and occupants.

Sector

Residential

Location

Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire

Client

Private

Year

2013

Services

Architectural design
Interior architecture
Planning & regulatory support
Technical design & delivery
Post-occupancy support
Sustainable design

Project overview

Long Crendon Eco Home is a carefully considered new-build that balances simplicity, sustainability, and everyday living. Drawing inspiration from the robust forms of rural agricultural buildings and the clarity of Viking longhouses, the design creates a calm, open environment that supports both family life and home working. The house is organised to encourage visual connection and social interaction while offering moments of retreat and privacy. Built using prefabricated systems for efficiency and performance, the project demonstrates how environmentally responsible design can also feel personal, generous, and deeply liveable.

Natural and self-finished materials like plywood and concrete were chosen for their durability and aesthetic appeal.

Materiality

A tactile, understated material palette provides durability and warmth while allowing the architecture to age naturally over time. Self-finished plywood, concrete floors, and exposed structural elements are used throughout the home, celebrating honesty of construction. Bespoke details, including custom shelving and a minimalist handrail, introduce moments of precision and craft, ensuring the prefabricated structure feels distinctly personal rather than generic.

Ben Mailen

Architect & Managing Director
“Residential projects are always at their best when there’s a genuine sense of trust between architect and client. Understanding their goals as a family allowed us to approach this project with a shared vision and investment in the final outcome—a home that is both environmentally responsible and deeply personal.”
The fluid arrangement of spaces creates a dynamic living environment that can adapt to the family’s evolving needs.

Sustainability

Constructed using Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), the house achieved weather-tightness within a week, minimising construction time and waste. High levels of insulation and airtightness significantly reduce energy demand, resulting in a home that requires very little heating throughout the year. Passive design principles, material efficiency, and long-term adaptability combine to create a low-energy home that prioritises comfort, resilience, and responsible living.

Client testimonial

“The home works really well for us as a family. It feels very personal, which is not what you think of with a pre-fab home. The whole process working with Hewn was lovely—they understood how we live, and took a personal design approach that tailored the space to us.”

Anna – Client

We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to start a conversation or learn more about our practice.

London Office

28-29 Great Sutton Street
Second Floor
London
EC1V 0DS

020 3918 5699
info@mailendesign.com

Oxfordshire Office

The Cart Shed
Manor Farm
West Hagbourne
Didcot
OX11 0ND

020 3918 5699
info@mailendesign.com