Rural retreat
Roger Stephenson Architects’ clients wanted a sustainable home. Their brief asked for a 250-300 sq m, partially earth sheltered, zero or near zero carbon contemporary house, taking best advantage of views over a valley, all to meet or exceed Passivhaus standards. The new house replaces an existing south-facing bungalow, which was of poor architectural quality but had spectacular views over a valley. There is a 5m cross fall on the site, which allows a partially earth sheltered form. The architect’s design solution is a stone and black zinc house, set over two storeys, with an inverted floor plan. The building has been positioned on site to partially bury the ground floor accommodation, maximise the amount of south facing rear garden and minimise the north facing front garden adjacent to the road. The ground floor and garage are designed as two earth sheltered, local grit-stone clad plinths, which step down the hill to reduce their apparent mass. On top of the plinth sits a simple, black zinc clad pitched roof volume which is a contemporary interpretation of surrounding metal clad farm buildings. Deep set, carved windows openings in this volume are accentuated with warmer timber panels and linings. The inverted floor plan allows living, dining and kitchen spaces to take best advantage of the additional height of the pitched roof, and of the best views into the valley. Bedrooms, studies and a gym are set in the earth sheltered ground floor, overlooking a private rear garden. The building is being designed to Passivhaus design principles, and will feature rainwater harvesting, plus solar thermal and photovoltaic panels.
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