£2.5million 4 bedroom eco home built into the side of a hill
05-22-2014
No danger of being overlooked by neighbours: £2.5million 4 bedroom eco home built into the side of a hill is hidden underneath 5,000 tons of earth from owner's lawn
Developers had to excavate 5,000 tons of soil to build the state-of-the art property in Loughwater, Hertfordshire
Subterranean home was build into the side of a hill and can not be seen by any neighbours living nearby
£2.5million house boasts four en-suite bedrooms, a cinema with a nine-foot screen and a sunken central courtyard
Home would be 'ideal for a professional footballer or a celebrity', say estate agents Savills
By Lucy Crossley
Tucked away under a grassy hill, at first glance this incredible subterranean house could have stepped off the pages of The Hobbit, but look a little closer and rather than Bilbo Baggins's quaint cosy cottage it in fact bears more resemblance to a James Bond villain's underground lair.
Dubbed Walnut Burrow - a name which somewhat betrays its state of the art design - the £2.5million home in Loudwater, Hertfordshire, took 18 months to build with developers having to excavate 5,000 tons of soil before work could get underway.
The one-of-a-kind dwelling has four bedrooms, all of which are en-suite, a huge living room, dining room and kitchen, a cinema and a central courtyard.
And all of this is hidden hidden below ground level - with the developers behind the brand-new home given the strict task of building a property out of sight of the neighbours.
Underground: Tucked away under a grassy hill, at first glance this incredible subterranean house in Loudwater, Hertfordshire, could have stepped off the pages of The Hobbit
Modern: Look a little closer and rather than Bilbo Baggins's quaint cosy cottage it in fact bears more resemblance to a James Bond villain's state-of-the art underground lair
Modern: Look a little closer and rather than Bilbo Baggins's quaint cosy cottage it in fact bears more resemblance to a James Bond villain's state-of-the art underground lair
All mod cons: The one-of-a-kind dwelling has four bedrooms, all of which are en-suite, a huge living room, dining room and kitchen, a cinema and a central courtyard
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All mod cons: The one-of-a-kind dwelling has four bedrooms, all of which are en-suite, a huge living room, dining room and kitchen, a cinema and a central courtyard
Secret: Most of the home is hidden hidden below ground level - with the developers behind the brand-new home given the strict task of building a property out of sight of the neighbours
Secret: Most of the home is hidden hidden below ground level - with the developers behind the brand-new home given the strict task of building a property out of sight of the neighbours
Lighten up: To keep natural daylight, the house has a 45-foot long south facing expanse of glass which serves the kitchen, dining and living areas, opening onto a sunken courtyard
Unique: The home, which was recently finished, has been put up for sale for £2.5 million with estate agents Savills describing it as 'stylish and unique underground home'
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Unique: The home, which was recently finished, has been put up for sale for £2.5 million with estate agents Savills describing it as 'stylish and unique underground home'
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Amazing: 'It is the most amazing and unique house which I have had the pleasure of selling,' said Sue Trybus, from Savills
View from below: 'Even though it is underground, the amount of light it unbelievable,' said Ms Trybus. 'There is a lovely courtyard which acts as a suntrap'
Out to impress: Ms trybus said the house would be ideal for a professional footballer, or a celebrity who is looking for something architecturally impressive
Out to impress: Ms trybus said the house would be ideal for a professional footballer, or a celebrity who is looking for something architecturally impressive
Night in: Homeowners would not need to pop to the nearest multiplex to catch a movie as the house has its own cinema, complete with a nine-foot screen
Cooking up a storm: The home has programmable lighting, solar panels and a state-of-the-art heat recovery and ventilation system, while amateur chefs would love the bespoke German kitchen
Entrance: An oak front door opens into the hall with contemporary cloakroom. The main reception room and kitchen have sliding doors to a lit courtyard
Floor plan: The rooms of the luxury home are positioned around the central courtyard and there is a large open plan kitchen and living area
In process: Walnut Burrow was built using a waterproof reinforced concrete box set into the hill. The roof was then turfed over, to create the garden
Wasteland: The site in Loudwater before work began on the incredible property, which took a year and a half to complete