Is this the ultimate commuter eco-home? Super-smart curved house with fingerprint tech for sale in West Sussex
A striking, coiled eco-house — at first glance appearing more like a curved fossil shell than a modern family home — has been listed for sale in West Sussex.
Called The Spiral, it uses both geothermal and solar energy, and has a recovery ventilation system which supplies fresh air while making sure no heat is lost.
Other smart features include fingerprint biometric door entry, a wireless camera security system and built-in audio speakers — all controlled by iPad.
The current owners have spent 18 months designing and building The Spiral, and it is "stunning - but seriously practical at the same time", says Darren Middleton of Hamptons International at Haywards Heath.
"This is very different to what's considered normal for the rural location. And that is part of the beauty of it."
A path branches off from the private drive and curves around the semicircular home, leading to the round entrance door.
Inside, covering more than 4,000 square feet, the interiors are divided into a living room and open-plan kitchen/dining room at one end, and a wood-clad corridor leading to five bedrooms and a dressing room at the other.
Sliding doors open from the bright, airy kitchen/diner to a landscaped terrace with a built-in hot tub and a lowered fire pit surrounded by stone benches. The Spiral seems from the outside to wrap around this central terrace.
Beside the house, a detached garage has a grass-covered roof, making it appear sunken into the gardens.
"It's got impressive eco-credentials, running on geo and solar energy, but it's not just for technology's sake — it will assist you on a day-to-day basis," says Middleton.
"You never know how often people choose to put the heating on of course, but, probably for most of the year, it's a fairly cost-neutral property as well."
The Spiral is for sale for £2 million.
Other recently sold properties in the area have ranged from £400,000 for a small cottage to Grade II-listed homes priced at more than £4 million.
"We've had interest so far from families, as the open-plan nature of the kitchen space fits with day to day living, but also from second-home buyers," says Middleton.
"The smart systems, and fingerprint technology, make it remarkably secure. And there's an appeal in being able to control the systems remotely.”
Nearby Three Bridges station has trains to London Bridge taking 35 minutes, while Gatwick airport is less than four miles away.
"The air and road access is exceptional, so it's a real escape to the countryside — without having to maintain a property constantly, as you would have to with a more traditional home," adds Middleton.