In the heart of the Herefordshire countryside a new home has been created using using a modular low-impact construction system called U-Build from award-winning architecture practice Studio Bark.

Studio Bark creates high quality, sensitive, environmental design and past projects have featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs and Grand Designs the Street. They are also featured regularly in the architectural press for their architecture and environmental activism.

Nest House is a new two-bedroom, fully accessible house built for clients who were wanting to downsize from their existing home and build a future-proof home on land they owned.

The modular design has created a permanent house that is built to last, but which can also be deconstructed, an approach described by Studio Bark as following a circular economic principle.

"It is designed in such a way that it can be taken apart at the end of its life. All buildings have a life span and many are eventually demolished. This way, the components can be re-used."

The resulting home, which has recently been completed, is a house that follows rigorous environmental design principles – it is a no-concrete building thanks to its unique foundation design, uses natural building materials and is user response with its smart heating system.

Nest House also has a green roof and there will, on completion, be integrated planting and landscape enhancements.

It has also been designed following a fabric-first approach to eliminate the need for excessive bolt-on technologies.

U Build is, explains Tom Bennet of Studio Bark, a modular self build system "something like a hybrid between IKEA and Lego" and requires no carpentry skills.

Last summer, Nest House provided students taking part in 'No Building As Usual', a cross-sector live-build summer school for university students, with an opportunity for hands-on construction experience, teaching participants how to design and build in response to the climate emergency.

No Building As Usual is being supported by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), The Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), the Architects Climate Action Network (ACAN) and Structure Workshop.

Student sponsorship and mentoring were provided by Child Graddon Lewis, Timber Trade Federation, Darling Associates, Make, Grimshaw Architects, Thermafleece, Kinrise.