Location: London, United Kingdom

Year: 1995-1998

With Munkenbeck and Marshall

This is a very unique project in Great Britain – a new build, modern stately home. From the outset the project posed some tough design challenges – a four storey, state-of-the-art residence that adhered to stringent planning requirements.  The design is based on giant stone monoliths, linked with wooden infills and covered with a continuous sheltering roof. The innovative design allows for continuous visual interaction between the interior spaces and the carefully landscaped surrounding garden.  An Atlantic Cedar is accommodated between the main building and the pool house and a huge Cypress has its own courtyard in the midst of the pool complex.  The indoor pool reaches to the glass perimeter of the house, then extends out into the lawn, spilling over a waterfall of natural stone before disappearing beneath a hedgerow.
Whilst the front of the house presents a protective barrier to the outside, once within, the connection tends to disappear: indoor and outdoor spaces have a ready visual and logistic exchange.  The occupants experience the transparancy between garden and living spaces without sacrificing privacy and closure.  The garden is a constant backdrop to a very sophisticated architectural experience.  The house is built on concrete piles which facilitate a basement car park. (8 cars) The low pitched roof is clad in pre-patinated zinc. The interior of the house has a lime- stone ground floor, oak upper floors and Italian plaster work.  A rolling inflatable central roof covers the pool house and a large guillotine window raises to allow swimming from indoors to out. There is a large Finnish sauna with a fully triple glazed window overlooking the pool deck, garden and summer house.