Tag Archives: contemporary

circular rooflight

April 4, 2022
by Ben Smith
Comments Off on See us in Bath Life’s Professional Services pages in April

See us in Bath Life’s Professional Services pages in April

See us in Bath Life Magazine’s Professional Services Pages in the April 2022 Edition. It features our Contemporary Barn conversion at Pensford near Bath. This project is designed to give a young family new connections to their garden including views … Continue reading →

Wychwood House

August 23, 2019 by Ben Smith

Background

Chris and Stephanie approached us to design a contemporary and sustainable, oak framed house in their garden which they could move into after their children had left home.

Design

Following extensive discussions with the local planning and conservation officer the curved design forms a serene backdrop to the garden as well as sitting comfortably within the setting of the Grade II* listed neighbouring St Laurence Church and Alvechurch Conservation Area.

With brick walls that extend out into the garden, and tree like columns a sense of drama is created within the the open plan kitchen, dining and living space whilst large doors spill out onto the garden. Beyond the kitchen, the bedrooms and backup spaces are on two storeys with larder, laundry, boot room and study ensuring that Wychwood house is a relaxed yet functional place to live in.

Technical

Natural materials such as cedar cladding and bamboo are used which will weather gracefully, whilst a 4kWp PV solar array generates electricity. The green oak frame draws on traditional craft framing techniques whilst giving the impression that oak trees form part of the living space.

This is a house that is sensitive to its setting, and sustainable in its operation sitting gracefully within its garden providing a high quality addition to its heritage setting.

Awards

  • Winner of the Best Built Private House for the Worcestershire Society of Chartered Architects RIBA 2019
  • Finalist LABC West of England Building Excellence Awards 2018

WCAS logo

Client: Chris & Stephanie Miall, Wychwood House

Designed by:  George Batterham, Ben Smith

Oak Frame by:  Carpenter Oak

Built by:  Bickford Building Services

This gallery contains 12 photos

Cranham Lodge

July 30, 2017 by Ben Smith

Background

The opportunity arose to design an elightened contemporary oak framed house from a derelict group of tuberculosis sanatorium buildings, set in an idyllic woodland clearing with a stunning outlook to the South.

Design

A bold, curved house plan cradles the end of a dewdrop shaped lake and completes the enclosure at the front of the house. A simple mono pitched sedum roof is supported on nine tree-like oak columns on the upper floor with the bedrooms below.

Technical

Load bearing masonry gives a refuge like feel to the bedrooms on the lower ground floor, whilst the open plan oak frame on the first floor makes the most of the views. Ground source heat pump, solar thermal and PV panels ensure a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 rating is achieved.

Awards

  • Winner of the RIBA South West Regional Awards 2013
  • Voted Best Timber Frame, Best Eco Home and Readers’ Choice for the Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2013

Testimonial

“We are so happy in the beautiful house that you have created for us. The feeling of space, calm and comfort, coupled with the surroundings makes it the home we always wanted…..

A view to treasure is at night – standing by the bund lights, the house looks as if it is a cruise liner floating on water”

Richard & Catriona Tyson, Cranham Lodge

Designed by:  George Batterham, Ben Smith, John St Leger

Oak Frame by:  Carpenter Oak

Built by:  H B Lewis & Sons

This gallery contains 18 photos

Owlpen

July 29, 2017 by Ben Smith

Background

Situated on a stunning site with its own natural spring supply and woodland, the agenda was to create a low energy sustainable dwelling, utilising natural renewable sources.

Design

The open plan living accommodation is on the first floor including an evening winter snug and study. The bedrooms are on the lower level, dug into the bank, utilising ground warmth.

Technical

Gentle curved glulam beams form the roof structure which is covered with Sedum. There is a ground source heat pump that utilises two bore holes, natural spring water, warm-cell recycled newspaper insulation, and rain water harvesting off the roofs.

Awards

  • Short listed at the Homebuilding & Revnovating Awards 2009: the Grand Designs effect

Testimonial

” We are still pinching ourselves to make sure it’s real, this fabulous place. I hope we that we will always feel privileged to be here and never lose the thrill we are experiencing now. It is an extraordinary home”

Andrew and Lucy Milne, Owlpen

Designed by George Batterham, Bernardo Mori

Built by HB Lewis & Sons Ltd

This gallery contains 22 photos

Winslade Down

July 28, 2017 by Ben Smith

Background

The replacement of a 1950s cottage and annexe within a walled garden provided the opportunity to design a modern, oak-framed house and lodge, tailored to both the site and clients’ aspirations.

Design

The concept focuses on creating outdoor ‘rooms’.  A formal garden to the South East is defined by the two storey component of the house while, to the North, a lower sedum-covered component encloses the arrival courtyard.

Technical

Seven, green oak tree-like structures running through the design form the basis for the internal configuration.  Solar panels, a ground source heat pump and highly insulated walls and roof, ensure the building will be energy efficient well into the future.

Designed by: George Batterham

Built by:  Heseltine Carp Limited

 

This gallery contains 14 photos

The Vines

July 27, 2017 by Ben Smith

Background

This highly sustainable house involved rebuilding a new two storey contemporary house with a work studio on the footprint of an existing bungalow using the existing footings.

Design

The design was based around sustainable criteria with south facing glazing, solar panels and rainwater collection. Two simple double pitched volumes creates a large arrival courtyard off which there is a light and airy home work studio. This is  separated from a private garden containing the everyday living areas. Large glazed doors spill onto the terrace and garden whilst a balcony provides a connection to the garden from the first floor. The open plan kitchen, living and dining space is arranged off a top-lit central stair.

Technical

Sustainable principles have been key to this project from the outset with super insulation, triple glazed windows, quintuple glazed rooflights, rainwater harvesting and the very first residential multi room natural, passive heat recovery ventilation system seen on the roof by Ventive. Evacuated tube solar thermal panels with thermal store are also incorporated.

 

Designed by:  George Batterham, Sam Pew-Latter, Ben Smith

 

Built by:  P.A.C. Construction

This gallery contains 18 photos

Drum House

July 26, 2017 by Ben Smith

Background

This distinctive house involved replacing an existing bungalow with a building that makes the most of its dramatic views towards Wells cathedral and Glastonbury Tor beyond.

Design

The design originated from an idea that the solid walls of the house emanate from the hillside whilst the floating curved roof mimics the rolling Mendip hills. A circular drum demarcates the entrance and provides a sense of arrival whilst views to the South of the Cathedral are framed with a large circular window upon arrival. Large South facing glazing also maximises the views of Glastonbury Tor and the open landscape to the West over Stoberry Park . A covered terrace provides a sheltered south facing al fresco dining area.

Technical

Well insulated walls and roof provide the backdrop to the dramatic curved roof which is supported on larch glulam timber beams and columns produced locally at Buckland Timber’s yard in Devon.  A rainwater tank collects water for use in the garden.

 

Designed by:  George Batterham, Ben Smith

Built by:  Chivers and Co. Ltd

This gallery contains 11 photos

62 Thomas St

July 25, 2017 by Ben Smith

Background

The existing 60 St Thomas street had previously been a public house with the ground to the rear used as a car park for customers. The existing house was listed and within the Wells conservation area. Our client’s agenda was to build a new contemporary energy-efficient house, making the most of the long views to the south west towards Glastonbury Tor and Wells cathedral and also to integrate the garden areas into the design composition as a whole.

Design

A single living space was created using the whole site with 1m thick walls on two sides and the site boundary on the other two. Inside and outside areas within the living space are articulated but not separated so as to retain an expansive sense of space. The landscaping is a large part of the living space with the dinning/deck/lawn sequence being reinforced by the 5m wide opening glass wall

The design has very much been tailored to the specific needs of our clients with two studio/guest rooms to enable them to both work from home most of the time creating a live work balance which is more sustainable and less dependent on the car on a daily basis.

Technical

The building materials are in their natural state as far as possible with low embodied energy, integral stone dust render and cedar boarding externally. Traditional materials used in a contemporary way to help the building to belong to its wider regional context.

The dining and main bedroom section of the house has deliberately been orientated to face due south looking towards Glastonbury Tor to maximise the solar gain for the Photo voltaic panels and solar thermal panels on the roof and natural passive solar gain to the main rooms in winter, with an overhanging roof to protect the space from over-heating in the summer.

The rainwater is collected and harvested to use in the garden and for grey water supplying WC flushing. Daylight factors of 8 % to all main spaces throughout the building minimising the use of artificial light which will be low energy fittings. A roof light over the stairs brings light down into the back of the plan through a void in the floor.

Testimonial

“Simon really enjoyed knowing you all and working on the build of Number 62.  He was proud that it won awards, not just for us, as we had a minor part in making it so, but for your expertise and skill in creating and building such a lovely home.  As a craftsman himself, he knew a good thing and a good team when he saw it.”

Sheena & Simon Loveday, Thomas Street

Awards

  • Winner, Best Individual New Home, Mendip Building Excellence Awards 2015
  • Finalist, Best Individual New Home, LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Finals 2015

Designed by George Batterham, Ben Smith

Built by Chivers & Co Ltd

 

This gallery contains 13 photos

Hackpen House, Broadhinton

January 3, 2017 by Ben Smith

Background

A large bungalow had previously sat on the site and the owners elected for a complete change in the form of a replacement house – all the joy of a new home without having to move!

Design

A double height atrium is at the rear of the house, with a steel and glass bridge linking two elements of the first floor. The rear of the building incorporates large sliding glass doors, with level thresholds for indoor/outdoor living and this aspect also takes advantage of the garden views and the countryside beyond.

Technical

Features include an air source heat pump, solar thermal, underfloor heating, heat recovery ventilation and rainwater harvesting. It also features wet rooms and a sauna.

Designed by George Batterham

Built by WeberHaus

This gallery contains 9 photos

Washmere’s Farm

September 12, 2016 by Ben Smith

Background

An existing 1960s bungalow did not respond to the views across the countryside and visually it was of little merit. It contributed very little to the quality of the Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Design

The single, open plan living space where you enter is situated on the upper ground floor and  contains the cooking, eating and relaxing areas, as well as a study. A timber deck maximises the expansive and uplifting views.

Background

Four bedrooms and a winter snug are contained within the lower ground floor. Natural and sustainable materials are used throughout, including slate, stone, bath stone render and raw oak cladding. Warmcel recycled newspaper was used to insulate the roofs and walls.

Designed by:  George Batterham, Nick Matthews

Built by: H B Lewis, South Gloucestershire

This gallery contains 8 photos

Laurel Barn, Mells

May 7, 2016 by Ben Smith

Background

The clients both work from home and wanted to have both a workspace and place to live with their young family. These elements are unified by means of a courtyard design.

Design

The main design concept was to create a series of three buildings built around a courtyard and to subdivide the site; one is an oak-framed open plan space for living on the southern part of the site, with views out across the fields; one is an enclosed, solid two-storey masonry element for sleeping accommodation on the west side and the final one, to the north of the courtyard, for work use.

Technical

The construction is based on a timber balloon frame which is highly insulated and sealed for airtightness. The roof is a carpentry-rafter ed solution with plywood bracing.

With its untreated cedar boarding , mill finish zinc roof, and stone render, there are no finishes to deteriorate and the building will weather naturally and improve with age.

Awards

  • Highly commended, Best Individual New Home, Mendip District Council Building Excellence Awards 2016
  • Shortlisted, Best Individual New Home, South West Building Excellence Awards 2016,

Designed by Chris Ball, George Batterham

Built by Scott Sinclair, Frome

This gallery contains 8 photos

The Old Vineyard

April 22, 2016 by Ben Smith

Background

A 1960s bungalow in a stunning south facing elevated site provided the opportunity for a sustainable, contemporary oak framed house.

Design

A simple curved plan form with a traditional slate pitched roof embraces the view and creates a split level sun terrace overlooking the valley. The green oak frame provides a steady rhythm ordering the internal composition, whilst five different levels respond to the site levels and brief in detail.

Technical

A ground source heat pump, solar panels, sedum roof, high levels of natural wood fibre insulation and rainwater harvesting ensure that the sustainability of the house is maintained for the life of the building.

Designed by: George Batterham and Ben Smith

Built by: Quarry Stone

This gallery contains 16 photos