Inspiration

News & ideas to spark your project plans, plus an expert from Graven Hill offers their thoughts on Help to Build

This low-impact forever home was designed by Chadwick Dryer Clarke (CDC) for a retired couple who wanted their house to fit into the landscape. CDC has created a barnstyle building – a nod to the original agricultural use of the land – which is set back on the site to help retain the views of the rebuilt thatched barn. The property sensitively incorporates local materials such as flint, red brick, timber shutters and zinc, and is deliberately low in height to respect neighbours’ immediate views.

Built from timber frame and featuring exposed wooden boards inside, as well as an air source heat pump and solar PV, this is a sustainable and low-carbon build. Huge spans of gable glazing are a wow-factor feature, and – along with carefully positioned rooflights – also help the house draw in free heat from the sun. An extended roofline, which mimics the thatched barn, provides shading to mitigate the risk of overheating in the summer.

The contemporary dwelling is big enough to be able to accommodate family coming to stay, but isn’t too large for the couple living on their own. Inside, an open-plan layout is perfect for socialising, while a concealed mezzanine leading out to a private balcony provide a secret space.