A previously undeveloped site is to house a four bed bespoke family home.

The proportion, orientation and topographical nature of this site presented us with a significant challenge. The constraints of the site fought against the conventional arrangement of a domestic property with its public and private zones.

The site slopes steeply from back to front as well as dishing side to side; there is a mature wood to the South which also presented issues of overshadowing.

We chose to adopt a cruciform plan which subdivided the land into quadrants dealing with public arrival, private South facing courtyard and grassed garden area to the rear of the property exploiting the only flat section of the site.

We wanted to be sympathetic to the site as well as mindful of budget so we designed the building to react closely to the sites existing contours; the roof level is constant and the shifts in the floor level respond to the position of the room and its function i.e. large kitchen, living, dining room has a proportionally high ceiling volume.

Materials are natural with modern detailing. Slate shingle walls and roof to the ground floor with timber and slate to the second. By diving the plan and section as we have the building appears as a series of single storey accommodation further reducing the impact on the site.