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.