THE Little House is an ingenious gem of an eco-building which clings to a sheer hillside above the Colne Valley.
The tiny sustainable house is the brainchild of retired architect David Greenwood, 70, who owns and runs the Westwood Christian Centre at Bolster Moor with wife Glenys.
David’s dream of designing and building a house for the two of them was finally realised this week when the Little House was officially opened.
Trustees of the Mission, staff and building workers gathered on the windy hillside for the tape-cutting ceremony at Westwood Edge Road.
The duty was carried out by Bolster Moor teenager and neighbour Laura Clancy, who is a regular visitor to the centre.
The house, which has stunning views, was constructed over the last nine months by the village’s Green Building Company.
The firm, which employs 36 people, specialises in environmentally-friendly buildings and housing products.
It recently won acclaim for the ultra low energy Denby Dale Passivhaus.
Mr and Mrs Greenwood have just moved into the Little House and are delighted with the outcome.
David worked with many historic buildings during his career as an architect, including looking after Bradford Cathedral. He said: “We have squeezed a quart into a pint pot.
“ It was a difficult footprint on a very sloping hillside and we had quite a few hoops to jump through with the planners and listed building people.
“But the house is beautiful, I am more than happy with the result.
“The Green Building Company was extremely helpful and skilled in incorporating all the eco-efficient elements into the building.
“In all my years as an architect, I never built a house for ourselves. To be able to do that is a wonderful gift. A lot of love has gone into the building and there is nobody better than my wife at making a beautiful space into a lovely home.”
Some of the Little House features include a timber frame, an eco-friendly insulation system, heat-reflecting glass windows with untreated red cedar frames and a live green sedum (mixed seed) roof – which will grow.
Mr Greenwood has incorporated a Japanese-inspired water system. Water will trickle down a metal chain which will move in the wind.
Eventually this will created intricate rust patterns on the stonework.
The Greenwoods bought Westwood Christian Centre 17 years ago and have since run it as a self-catering retreat for church, family, youth and other groups.
Visitors – individuals or in groups – are welcome for an hour or a few days to enjoy the peace and quiet.
The main building, which sleeps up to 50 people, was an Anglican mission church built in 1865.
