When David and Greta Iredale opted for a Huf Haus in their 2004 episode of Grand Designs, it was considered a radical choice.
Based on the Bauhaus principal of architecture, which prioritises geometric lines and modern materials, German manufacturer Huf Haus has been making prefabricated homes that promise extreme energy efficiency for over a century.
Kevin McCloud was so impressed that two retirees could see their home built in under five days he named it one of his favourite ever Grand Designs.
It encouraged a new wave of Huf Haus enthusiasts – including this five-bedroom eco-home in leafy Stoke Wood, South Buckinghamshire.
Constructed in 2007, it was the 99th Huf Haus built in the UK.
Today there are over 300 of these modular homes in the UK, but they're still extremely hard to get hold of. The manufacturer can produce up to 150 Huf Hauses a year, yet only 20 to 30 make it to British shores annually.
The Stoke Wood Huf Haus has just come on the market for rent at £15,000 a month, but estate agents Foxtons said the owner could be tempted to sell – for the right price.
"Despite a boom in popularity, the number of Huf Haus homes found across the UK is still slim and this makes them very sought after amongst a certain segment of homebuyers," said Foxtons CEO Guy Gittens.
"While the property is currently listed to rent, there may be an opportunity for the right buyer to secure their own slice of Huf Haus history."
South Buckinghamshire is due to get its own Crossrail station in the future, and commuters can already get into London via Marylebone station.
This 4,908-square-foot Huf Haus features the signature timber frame and floor-to-ceiling glass. As it sits on a secluded one-acre plot, nosy neighbours aren't a concern.
There's a freestanding fireplace in the open plan ground floor, with a kitchen set-up that would be ideal for entertaining. Along with a double-height study, there's a cinema room set up for home movie viewing.
Each of the five bedrooms includes plenty of storage space, and the principal bedroom has its own bathroom with a double sink set up as well as a bath and separate shower.
In the grounds there is a summer house as well as a covered BBQ area – an ideal set-tup for grilling despite the unpredictable British weather.
Thanks to the pre-fabricated home's signature energy efficiency, bills are kept to a minimum. And if the new tenants fall in love with the home, there's always the chance to buy it.
A similar style of Huf Haus in Dulwich came on the market for £2.8 million in 2020, while a palatial Huf Haus with its own helicopter pad in West Sussex went up for sale for £4.5 million back in 2016.
