The approach we have adopted is to try to build the site, or in other words to reinforce the existing characteristics of the terrain. From the site there are beautiful views of the countryside to the south, although it is a series of rocky ridges that push themselves through the surface of the earth in north south striations that constitute the site's strongest characteristic. One of these ridges, in a quiet, hidden and protected area, was chosen as the location of the house.

A planting scheme was devised to reinforce the linear characteristics of the site. Two swathes of native broad leaf woodland are proposed to give further shelter from the south and to conceal manmade planted edges to the site on the north. Soft undulating lines define these areas and create natural meadows between them.

A gate provides access to the estate on its southern edge. The drive enters below a rocky escarpment before taking a long route up the estate that closely follows the contours of the land. The route slips in and out of the woodland before turning back on itself along the upper ridgeline. A low stone wall builds and gives definition to the existing outcrop of rock until the drive arrives at the entrance court. From there visitors enter the house against this wall, which has grown to become the backbone of the house.

The entrance hall and major circulation system for the house are located between the spine-wall and thick walled ridge-like structures. From the entrance hall the visitor moves back through the spine-wall to the major living spaces arranged linearly along the ridge. These spaces each open up onto external courtyards and gardens that afford discrete views to the south. The swimming pool on the north side of the main courtyard is located so as to recieve direct sunlight. The private courtyards to the house are hidden away from the open parts of the site, being defined by the house on the south and by neatly clipped yew hedges on the north.

Sunlight enters all the major spaces at high level. The principal bedroom and its private courtyard are located to the north-east of the main accommodation. The children's rooms are located on the lower ground floor. Local building materials will be used wherever possible and appropriate: floors will be local stone or timber, and the timber roof clad with natural slate.

The project currently is awaiting planning approval.

Project Team

Frank Lyons
Peter Skerrett
Toby Peters

Model by Jonathon Wright Projects

To contact us:

info@humanearchitecture.com

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