This site had outline permission for a dormer bungalow, the client wanted a large two storey house , but the site was elevated  and steeply sloping , which did not lend itself to a conspicuous two storey. The compromise solution was to take a traditional  ‘deep plan’ single storey  building  which would hug the contours of the site  , and pull it apart  at the ridge line  , creating a ‘V’ shaped plan , with a private south facing sheltered sun trap courtyard with views of  the surrounding landscape ,between the two ‘wings of the V’. Each wing  is shallow in plan with dual aspect which allows both sunlight & natural light to flood into the internal spaces at all times of day. The road frontage is east facing, so the front wing contains all the bedroom accommodation to enjoy morning sun , and the west facing rear wing houses all the living space for to benefit from evening sun.

The front entrance is at the apex of the ‘V’  , located at the northern high point of the site , thus allowing the internal spaces in each wing to step down the site with an  increase  in floor to  ceiling height in accordance with function , and the sloping nature of the site ,as you move through the wings from north to south , ie low ceilinged snug TV room is adjacent  front entrance hall , with open  plan kitchen , dining ,family room  occupying a high vaulted ceiling  space at south end with  courtyard , patio  & rear garden access .Because of the site contours , it allowed  us to incorporate a garage under the living wing  & master en suite & dressing room  under the bedroom wing  with private stairs to master bedroom above.

A simple palette of  materials  was  used consisting of limestone facing , slate roof , zinc  cladding to  box windows , cedar cladding to courtyard.

The house was featured in Build Your Own Magazine  and  in Sunday Times ‘Home ‘Supplement.