The client’s brief was for a contemporary house that would sit well in the landscape and respond sensitively to its tree lined site and rural setting. Overlooking sweeping views to the South Downs the design of the house is composed of a series of layers, which echo the horizontality of the fields and distant hills.
It sits between a protected formal garden at the front and a wild flower meadow to the South. The social spaces on the ground floor are open plan and give wide views across the landscape. A double height ‘winter garden’ unites the ground and first floors creating a dynamic central space with views in all directions.
The connection to nature and the movement of the sun and moon is a key theme which is explored through the orientation of the spaces and the series of carefully created vistas across the plan.
The master bedroom suite on the ground floor has its own snug with a fire place and secluded external terrace. There are three more bedrooms on the first floor, and a study overlooking the double height space. Here the construction, including the walls, is entirely of cross laminated timber.
The roof is made from a series of tilted triangular planes forming a folded, undulating surface inspired by the shape of the surrounding hills. This creates sculptured interior spaces with the natural timber surfaces giving a warm and tactile quality to the rooms.
The external cladding of western red cedar ages to match the colour of the winter trees and dry grasses. Sliding shutters, hidden when not in use, cut out solar glare in the summer months. The south facing glazing is protected from high sunlight but allows solar gain from the low winter sun. The house is naturally ventilated with heating and hot water from an efficient biomass boiler.
CLIENT TESTIMONY
“We interviewed several architects over the course of a few weeks and narrowed our choice from the ideas that they presented to us. The architects’ responses to our brief and their initial interpretation of our needs were very important in our decision. We chose Wilkinson King on the quality of their previous work and because we knew that the house we wanted would be designed specifically for us on the site.
The house is more than we could have expected it to be. Winning architectural awards demonstrates how the house is being seen as a success but for us living in the house is better than our expectations; the house works perfectly for us. We are spending much more time in Sussex than we had planned.
The views from the house and garden are stunning and seeing out from various points such as the upper floors through the double height area is a delight each day.
We absolutely love our garden, designed by Landscape Architect Andy Sturgeon, the way it connects to both the house and the landscape beyond is a triumph. We are looking forward to how it will mature over the years.”
AWARDS
Winner – RIBA National Award
Winner – RIBA Award, South East Region
Winner – Structural Timber Awards
Finalist – RIBA House of the Year
Finalist – Architect of the Year Awards - Best One-off House
Highly Commended – Wood Awards
Shortlisted – ISE Structural Awards
Photography: © Paul Riddle