We were asked by the Clients to design a new family home that could be built in the countryside in an AONB, where the environment and views are a sensitive issue. The client wanted the new 6000 m2 home to not disrupt the rural character of the local area, to be in effect mostly invisible when seen from outside of the plot.
The new main house is partially sunk into the ground and rises above the adjacent ground levels to a maximum of 1800mm and is covered with a green meadow roof.
Airy internal rooms open up to the specific gardens and tennis courts, beyond which the gardens slope up to the surrounding ground levels creating an open vista to a screening copse wood beyond.
The Forge, Oxfordshire
Internal areas have been zoned from public reception and family areas to private areas with connecting hall. These areas all have access to on site recreation and sports facilities, including an indoor swimming pool. The home is designed for multiple activities allowing the users to enjoy either quiet private areas or social gatherings.
The design has been developed in conjunction with sustainability, energy, landscape and biodiversity specialist consultants.
The clients wanted the proposal to be Carbon neutral, to have the ability to be ‘Off line’ housing, with its own water supply, waste recycling management and energy supply. They wanted a home that was fully integrated with countryside living and also be highly finished and technologically advanced.
