A garden plot was subdivided to create a new home, there were planning restrictions:- not to be visible above the existing garden perimeter wall, not to damage or effect the routes of a very mature Horse chestnut Tree in the plot, as well as not to overlook neighbouring properties private gardens on the boundary edges .
The solutions to the restriction were to sink the building down below ground level so as to not rise above the perimeter wall height. So as to not damage the tree roots the sides of the building were designed into a single storey height Vierendeel beams, cantilevered above the roots of the tree.
To avoid overlooking neighbours’ properties and gardens there is an internal courtyard as part of the living and kitchen dining room, for internal light and fresh air, other rooms have clerestory windows with the bedrooms opening onto the rear external planted areas and tree.
