Triple Oak

The site for this bespoke new project was a semi-rural location on the outskirts of an historic village.

Our brief for this project evolved over an extended period. A self-build from a knowledgeable client, we were asked to consider ideas to expand and convert their existing 1960s bungalow, on a leafy picturesque country lane, which flanks the outskirts of the neighbouring Conservation Area.

In direct collaboration with our clients, we honed their brief to create a master plan for a wholesale replacement of the existing bungalow with a two-storey 4-bedroom home.

The street scene is full of formal two-storey properties that have replaced original bungalows. It was imperative for both us and our clients that the tabled design sought to mitigate changes in scale, whilst increasing the amount of living accommodation. Our solution was to design a property that put a contemporary twist on the local chalet-style vernacular.

The principle of the design is the all-encompassing timber hood that sits over the ground floor, grounding the building at key points. The material was kept simple; using timber, render and zinc. However, the key ingredient in this building is the glazing. Large format glazing has been employed throughout, framing views to the front and rear of the property. The jewel in the crown is the double-height circulation core at the heart of the scheme, flooding the new open plan area to the rear of the home in natural daylight and providing volume change and intrigue.

The scheme has successfully created a contemporary home with an identity that sits comfortably on the site and within the surrounding country landscape.