Designed by Burd Haward Marston, this four bedroom detached house is an eye-opener for anyone who thinks a new house in a conservation area should ape the design of the conservatively- styled neighbouring house and demonstrates what can be achieved with enlightened planning officers. Being built on London clay the house had to have concrete piled foundations -17 of them up to 11 metres deep- rather than a ground slab. The lightweight steel-framed structure, clad in Italian terracotta tiles, was then built on top of these. The whole of the upper floor has large areas of glazing on all sides, which make the terne-coated stainless-steel mono-pitch roof appear to float over the building. There is also a narrow pond on all sides of the house, which makes it appear to be floating on the water. The house has an internal courtyard, which is a two-storey glass-roofed conservatory and the stairs and landing are made of galvanised steel with large areas of limestone flooring in the kitchen and courtyard.. The whole of the south wall of the house has full height double-glazed sliding doors, which can open up to join the living rooms to the courtyard. The house is extremely energy efficient-as the main roof and the walls are heavily insulated. Adjustable blinds under the glazed courtyard roof limit solar glare in summer whilst in winter the low angle of the sun warms the living spaces with the unheated courtyard acting as a thermal buffer, providing quadruple glazing between living spaces and the external environment. In awarding the 2002 Manser Medal the chairman of the judges, Michael Manser, said: “The structure is clear and precise, and there are some very innovative design features which should be a source of inspiration and challenge to every house builder. The house encapsulates everything that a former president of RIBA, Alex Gordon, said should be the achievable target of every architect: Long Life, low energy, loose fit.
Photography: Charlotte Wood |
