TRAFFORD’S first underground house has won an award - before it has even been built.

Perdu - a two-storey subterranean house, which will be built on land on St Margaret’s Road in the Bowdon conservation area - has been recognised by the International Property Awards.

Cheshire property development company, Huntsmere, were awarded Best Property Award 2010 last month, where they were also awarded a highly commended accolade for Perdu.

Construction work is set to begin on the £2m property in the new year and according to Huntsmere there has already been a high level of interest.

Only the entrance of the house will be visible from above ground, in the grounds of Limehurst, a Victorian mansion converted into flats.

The private home will be laid out in a circular design around a central atrium and will be bathed in natural light from four ground level lightwells.

The first level has a kitchen, lounge, dining room and master bedroom. The rooms are triangular or cheese wedge shaped.

The second level includes the pool area, a gym and two bedrooms.

It also features a waterchute linking the master bedroom on the first floor to a pool below.

Perdu will have strong eco-credentials, with a ground source heat pump providing underfloor heating, a solar tube system for hot water, while a rainwater harvesting system will reduce water consumption. A sophisticated lighting system combined with low-energy light bulbs will reduce electricity use.

Chris Oakes, of Huntsmere, said: “We are extremely proud to be recognised at an event that celebrates the highest achievers in the industry from across the globe. “Perdu is a stunning, highly evolved property, offering the most stylish accommodation; it’s as simple as that.”