A MODERN OASIS
Leading architecture practice Richard Parr Associates (RPA) has recently created a modern single-story family residence set within the Oxfordshire countryside. Designed to accommodate all the family’s needs and interests, this distinctive property offers a high level of internal flexibility as well as privacy. This is the second time that RPA has worked closely with the family, having been previously commissioned to sensitively redesign their home in North London.
A wish for more space prompted the client to search for a country property that could accommodate separate requirements of their wider family, including the requirement for space for full-time carers, as well as provide an environment where the whole family could easily interact.
The site initially appeared to offer few remarkable features. However, the RPA approach to designing Architecture in landscapes recognised that if the existing house was demolished and a new property was re- sited, it would be possible to frame and create far reaching views into the distant landscape, taking in the Chiltern Hills, undulating countryside and otherwise unnoticed features.
With a very site specific thinking, the local vernacular of farm buildings informed both the proportions and the choice of modest materials - brick, concrete, corrugated roofing, corten steel and charred timber. All these being the basic materials of functional agricultural farmyards. To counter the level landscape, the property sits on a plinth, with swails and drainage ditches and banks created to sculpt the terrain and remove surface water. By planting hedges and English tree species on either side of the plot it was possible to channel views, increase privacy and create much needed shelter, while providing a feeling of calm in an otherwise exposed site.
Discarding traditional building conventions and designs, four distinct quarters of equal importance were created, set behind two brick spine walls that face one another. RPA ensured that every single room has a view, with natural light flooding each space. One quarter features a family room complete with cooking, eating and an entertaining space that connects to a wing specially designed for their child with complex needs and carers. While the other features a main bedroom suite along with a guest wing. Connecting the two structures is a large light-filled central games room complete with full height glass windows. Screens and sliding doors have been used judiciously. Each wing opens so that the family can be together or can operate separately, independent of the other quarters. To counter the exposed site, external sheltered areas have also been created in each quarter. Access to the two wings is via one of the two entrance lobbies that face each other across the central courtyard.
Inside, polished concrete floors, copper, lime plaster, stained ash joinery and wood wool ceilings provide a sense of unity throughout the interior, while a series of vertical timber posts add texture to the walls. Sloping ceilings emulate nearby lean-to farmyard buildings as does pig slat detailing placed behind large glass windows, casting natural light that changes according to the time of day. The reduced colour palette is created using natural and breathable paint from Graphenstone, bringing a sense of calm as well as highlighting the natural materials selected. While in the pared back bathrooms metro tiles in either white, grey or nutmeg have been used.
In the large family wing, a striking, black-stained ash kitchen unit houses a double-oven, sink and cupboards with a matching standalone island that includes an induction hob and coffee machine. The design of the island also doubles up as a bar. A dining space and family seating area complete with wood burning stove and bench connects with the outside, via a wall of sliding doors, to a covered outdoor eating area. The exterior mirrors the inside, with an open brick fireplace with matching bench and log storage below.
Huge windows feature on either side of the games room with its large central ping pong table. Adjacent to this is the snug, with its dual aspect wood burning fireplace, complete with a long cantilever fitted bench that runs the width of the room behind, providing the ideal place to watch a game. In the snug itself the dual aspect wood burning fireplace also has a cantilever bench.
In the main bedroom suite, a wall of sliding doors leads out to a private covered terrace. In the ensuite bathroom, a white contemporary bath sits adjacent to a large window providing views of the surrounding site, complemented by a floor-to-ceiling wall of soft brown glazed subway tiles and a matching pair of sinks and mirrors.
A micro-environment has been created around the house. Certain elements have been rewilded to enrich the biodiversity of the site complete with soft landscaping including banks to accommodate the requirements of their child with complex needs. A modern kitchen garden has been carefully sited, with raised beds and greenhouses to maximise light, and minimise wind. While nearby is a garage and energy centre, along with a natural, wild swimming pool that is filtered by reeds.
This simple elegant design effortlessly blends in with its environment, working harmoniously with its surroundings, while providing scope to adapt and modify the property over time according to the family’s changing needs and requirements.
