Country House
The brief:
The house was designed to be at the heart of a small farming estate. Having owned many listed properties over the years, our client wanted to create a new classical residence in the style of the great English country house.
The proposed site of 800 acres provided a perfect setting with land appropriate for parkland.
The proposals:
Faithful to the classical tradition, the detailing and landscaping displays features typical of a period country house. A coffered atrium and sem-cyclic staircase create a dramatic centre-piece to the interior. The approach, along an avenue of trees to a carriage-turn and ha-ha, enhances the main entrance. The walled garden and parterre provide a delightful series of features on the south side of the house.
Despite the scheme's classical appearance, a sustainable approach incorporates eco-principles, making this a design of today.
Plans include a reed bed drainage system and a biomass converter for heating using chipped willow grown on the estate. The south-facing elevation is fenestrated to maximise solar gain. And the glazed atrium is designed to provide daylight to the core of the house, minimising the need for artificial lighting.