Natural Power built a new 20 person eco-office in 2001 and are about to begin work on an extension that will increase the floor space by 50%. The building was designed by Neil Sutherland, Architect. It is carefully situated and orientated to maximise passive solar gain, with energy stored within the fabric of the building. Heat loss is also minimised by digging the building into an earth bank. It is well insulated with warmcell cellulose fibre, and the glazing is all low-E and argon filled. The roof of the building has a considerable overhang, which helps reduce glare in the office and protects the cladding. It’s one of the few buildings to boast a timber fire escape, which has a 60 minute fire rating and is made of oak. There are no toxic chemicals used on the building.

Virtually the whole building is made from Scottish timber. Posts and trusses were made from large section Douglas fir; and Douglas fir heartwood was also used for vertical cladding, soffits, barge-boards and fascias. Horizontal counterbattens behind the cladding were made from European Larch, with Scottish grown Norway spruce used for secondary purlins, floor joists and framing. The external balcony was built in Scottish green oak, and Scottish sycamore was used with oak for the internal staircase and for the upper floor and finishes. Much of the wood was sourced from the Natural Power estate within a 5 mile radius of the site. The sycamore floor was provided by Norbuild.