Private House in the Chilterns

The main living spaces open onto the loggia, while the ancillary rooms, further into the house, open onto smaller courtyards. The courtyards vary in character and provide close contact with nature while the main living quarters offer views into the valley. A ramp at the north-east of the site leads to the largest of the four (sunken) courtyards, a working area reminiscent of a traditional farmyard. This courtyard also provides access to the various areas of the house and to the loggia through an opening which also separates the guest quarters from the main body of the house.

The site was previously occupied by a two-storey house with several ad-hoc outbuildings, and unsympathetic planting. These have been removed, the mosaic of small fields reinstated, and areas of new native woodland planted. The concrete roof of the house is covered with topsoil and planted with native grass, while the walls are made of brick, left visible both inside and out. The white colour of the bricks and lime mortar is reminiscent of the chalk beneath the house, making it appear as a natural escarpment in the landscape.