Fron Francis (Francis Hill)
Rural Enterprise Dwelling
Llanrwst, North Wales, 2026
This project is rather special, as we are collaborating with Uklyptus, a specialist plantation that grown eucalyptus in North Wales, to design a Rural Enterprise Dwelling. The purpose of it is to enable rural enterprise workers to live at their place of work in the open countryside where planning restrictions usually prohibit development. This is essential for Neil and Ewa, who must harvest the eucalyptus throughout the year.
Together we have designed a modest home, that seeks to minimise its impact on the landscape. The house cuts into the hill side, and along with the mono-pitch roof matches the angle of slope, it maintains a low-profile on the site.
The house has been designed using Passive House Planning Package software to create the most energy efficient and thermally comfortable home. The roof overhangs on the Southern elevation to reduce direct sunlight in the Summer, but allow it in during the Winter. Photovoltaic roof panels with battery storage, Mechanical Heat Ventilation Recovery and an air source heat pump mean the house is practically off-grid.
Arfon Timber Frames will construct the building shell with the timber Structurally Insulated Panels. They are manufactured in their workshop to millimetre precision and then erected on site within a few days. The walls will then be clad in Welsh larch and the roof will be Zinc standing seam. A feature oriel window creates a secluded seat in the master bedroom.
