The rural Kent home of British architect Richard Hawkes and his family is the kind of house that makes passers-by stop and stare. The sweeping, arched form jumps out of the ground, covered in local flowers and grasses, veiling boxy glass and cedar structures where the family lives.

Dramatic aesthetics aside, the home, called "Crossway," has eco credentials out the wazoo. It is one of the first homes in the UK to obtain Passivhaus certification.

"The house is zero carbon," explains Richard. "There's no gas, no boiler, no mains drainage. It's designed to use as little energy as possible."

Solar panels on the roof more than meet the home's energy needs — excess power is sold back into the electricity grid at a profit.

The clay tiles of the home’s distinctive arch help regulate temperature and humidity to keep the interior airy, and the seeds for the green roof were sourced from a nearby nature reserve.

See more Crossway pics at Hawkes' Tumblr. 

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