There is a growing interest in designs which have minimal impact on the landscape and which minimise the amount of embodied carbon. Dunsmore House is a two storey platform frame in the Scottish Highlands supported on just eight shallow pad foundations. Concrete posts project from the pads to support the ground beams. In order to minimise the embodied carbon, the ground beams, like the frame, were constructed from timber. The ground beams are well protected from the rain and so the risk of permanent wetting leading to decay is relatively low.

However, there was a concern that seasonal shrinking and swelling of the timber ground beams might affect the level of the house. Thanks to its durability and stability, Accoya offered the ideal solution.