Weston Homes launch luxurious experimental eco home in Essex

Housebuilder Weston Homes has launched an experimental eco house which is sure to appeal to many environmentally conscious house hunters seeking a luxurious new home in Essex.

Based in the heart of Chigwell, the stylish new four-bedroom house, called The Retreat, has been designed to help minimise its impact on the environment, without skimping on extravagance.

Set across three storeys The Retreat consists of a gym, sauna, games room, as well an outdoor swimming pool, extensive barbeque area, and a home cinema which offers the latest Samsung 60" 3D technology and incorporates surround sound delivered through discreet ceiling and wall speakers.

The home cinema room also features Swarovski crystals embedded into the ceiling in the constellation of Orion, which change colour to suit your mood at the touch of an iPad.

Each room has the ability to control the lighting and mood via an iPad or iPhone, as well as controlling the heating and ventilation, CCTV cameras, opening and closing the pedestrian and vehicle gates, curtains and blinds, and controlling the lights. Pre-programmed modes can even dim the lights, close the curtains and switch on your music of choice, depending on your mood.

Despite being packed with an abundance of glitzy technology, The Retreat is at the top of the scale for the building fabric of sustainable homes at Code Level 5. A purchase price has not yet been made public.

Bob Weston, Chairman and Chief Executive of Weston Homes, comments: "Eco homes are often viewed as dull and boring; The Retreat is anything but. It boasts cutting edge design and technology and is a fun, versatile home, perfect for relaxing with your family, entertaining friends or working.

"The Retreat will appeal to buyers looking for that extra touch of glamour which doesn't cost the earth. It's a delightful and fun home, comprising some seriously sophisticated materials and finishing touches which puts it head and shoulders above virtually all homes currently being built in the UK."