The deign brief from the owners was for a modern, minimalist house, possibly incorporating curves, with three to four bedrooms taking full advantage of a steeply sloping site and the views. As the site is enclosed at the back by the rocky hillside, the main entrance and living area are at upper-ground floor levels and all thee bedrooms and a study are at the lower ground -floor level. The free-form spiral of the plan created a number of technical challenges. The curved walls had to be set out with great accuracy and the precise dimensions for the height and position of the sloping wall plate had to be calculated using a 3D computer model. The walls are constructed of insulated cavity blockwork, thickened out in the lower courses to give a batter (slope).
Internally the radii of the curved walls become progressively tighter but the blockwork was able to accommodate the shapes without too much difficulty.
Short-listed for the 2002 RIBA Manser Medal, the Civic Trust Judges were equally as impressed “This project has brought stylish, quality design to an area where there are few precedents for contemporary design”
Photography: Jonathan Moore (except glass staircase Peter McMahon) |
