Charming watermill located in a Unesco nature reserve, with a hectare of oasis gardens with fruit trees, herbs, vegetables, sea views and an olive grove and 15 kilometres of National Park behind the property. Set 10 kms from a variety of quiet beaches, Carboneras and Sorbas market towns are close by. The watermill has been converted into a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home incorporating many original features and eco-initiatives. Fabulous Moorish renovation with arches, marble floors, wooden beams and floors, castile doors, intricate mosaics and Moroccan patios. The house has potential to be converted into eco-tourist apartments or a visitor attraction or retreat centre.

• zero-carbon

The house was designed specifically to offset carbon used during construction, which is achieved through the use of hemp in the building, and as a method of capture and ongoing use of solar power. Eighty-five per cent of required power is produced onsite. Wood burners heat the house with a system of ducting distributing the warm air around the house; small gas heaters are a back up heat source and there is a back generator to supplement the solar power generated. Sixty per cent of the wood required for heating is rotationally coppiced from onsite olive trees. Additional offsetting has been achieved through the planting of 20 endemic trees and numerous insect-attracting shrubs.

• zero-waste

Organic waste is composted and reused to mulch the vegetable garden. Various construction materials and products have been reused to build the house. An eco-information pack for the property and surroundings is provided for house visitors.

• sustainable water

Rainwater is captured on the roof and harvested into a purpose-built water tank/dip pool, which is also utilised to irrigate the gardens. Three roofs have been planted with indigenous plants. An ozone and solar-powered fountain are used to clean the water. Low-flush are installed and all grey water is recycled for irrigation. Many ground surfaces have been left breathable to enable better water absorption. Two impermeable cesspits have been built to protect water courses.

• local and sustainable building materials

Stone used has been sourced from the riverbed infront of the house. Locally quarried yeso was used for plastering and natively produced straw was used under the floors as an insulant. Natural pigments used were sourced on the land belonging to the property. Seventy-five per cent of the timber used in construction was reclaimed, all windows and doors were reclaimed as was 70 per cent of glass. All other materials were sourced locally and all labour was from the immediate area.

• sustainable transport

Bicycles are provided for guests’ use, for example, when the property is rented. Car sharing is encouraged and is sometimes applied.

Local developer Familia Cuenca is building 828 properties in the first eco-development in the region. The large site of 308,000m² will encompass 26,000m² of planted and managed flora. Innovations include dual orientation to facilitate natural air cross flow; positive grey water recycling and water reduction programme.

• zero-carbon

Dual orientation facilitates energy efficiency through cross-ventilation, direct sunlight – large windows are a feature – and favourable thermal conditions – half metre thick walls. Houses are well-insulated and solar panels heat water; showers and bath tubs have thermostatic taps.

• zero-waste

Individual kitchens have separated bins for waste management and recycling; centralised points for recycling of communal waste and compost points for organic waste. Centralised underground system for waste collection.

• sustainable water

Grey water and communal rainwater are recycled for irrigation purposes. Taps use air-flow system; toilet cistern system has reduced water flow; a water leakage detection system prevent unnecessary water loss.

• local and sustainable building materials

Building materials, equipment and labour are locally sourced; technical construction and design draws on local knowledge to guide orientation, insulation and air-flow. All house construction follows the principles of ‘healthy houses’, using non-toxic paint and natural building materials.

• sustainable transport

Services and commercial areas are easily accessed on foot; bicycle lanes surround the community; pavements and park areas with lots of trees are provided to encourage walking rather than car use.

Le Clos de la Croix Blanche provides luxurious living in a bespoke eco-friendly development built and finished to the highest standards, with a touch of contemporary design in a mountain environment. Timber-framed construction, photovoltaic panels, grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting, heat recuperation and geothermal preheating are some of the eco-initiatives installed.

• zero-carbon

Photovoltaic panels mounted within the roof structure will provide electricity. High levels of thermal insulation will feature through the use of wood structure wrapped with wood fibre panels, and triple-glazed windows; a ventilation system with heat recuperation and geothermal preheating will be installed. A high-efficiency gas-fired boiler will heat homes. All systems will be managed by an intelligent building system working according to pre-programmed needs.

• zero-waste

Recycling of plastics and glass bottles, jars and papers will be encouraged through inhouse provision of receptacles. A building waste management feasibility study is in progress. Composting will be implemented providing climatic conditions are beneficial.

• sustainable water

Potable water will be drawn from a local spring. Grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting from roofs will be undertaken and stored onsite for use for dual flushing WCs, washing machines and garden irrigation.

• local and sustainable building materials

Timber, which is the main building material, is sourced from a European sustainable forest. Concrete for the foundations comes from a local quarry and marble and stone materials are sourced from neighbouring Italy. Construction is undertaken by local labour from within the Mont Blanc region.

• sustainable transport

There is very limited onsite vehicular access, essentially an underground parking facility. The site is in immediate proximity to public bus and rail services and an airport shuttle services is provided in the valley. The ski lifts of the Grands Montets are only a short walk away.