Skylark
London-based architecture practice House Of EM have completed Skylark, a new-build family home located in the county of Shropshire, and designed for clients, James and Sam Charters and their young family.
Founded by former Michaelis Boyd directors Emma Bodie and Matthew Sanders, House Of EM brings a design philosophy rooted in place, meticulously crafted and realised for clients who are bold, creative and collaborative. Skylark marks the practice’s official debut, delivering architecture that is confident, contemporary and connected to its context.
The site was a previously overgrown plateau overlooking the River Teme. James and Sam’s brief called for a private residence, Skylark - inspired by mid-century design with careful attention to views, sunlight and the landscape. Across the building, design priorities included creating an impactful arrival harnessing the view, siting the new building carefully in the landscape, connecting private and communal spaces, and using materials that felt at home and complimented the historic town.
Skylark is arranged in an F-shaped plan, balancing openness and intimacy, while the stepped upper floor carefully reduces perceived massing. The layout creates a central courtyard garden and visual connections between rooms while maintaining separation where needed. The ground floor features a sequence designed for a grand arrival, where entry immediately frames views outward. The frontages facing the road are intentionally solid, punctuated with simple glazed openings. While the rear and side elevations open fully to capture the surrounding landscape and allow seamless access to the terraces and garden. Public and living spaces flow across the ground floor; including a stepped-down sitting room, the kitchen, dining area and snug are subtly separated by joinery and an integrated fireplace that define living zones. The ground floor also includes a private block with a guest bedroom suite, a bathroom, an office, powder room, a gym, a playroom, as well as utility spaces including the entrance hall, a storage room, mudroom, and laundry.
House Of EM’s expertly choreographed spatial strategy has moments of contemporary details tucked within the simple form. A skyroof illuminates the double-height entryway, where the main stairs lead up to the first floor. This floor sits within the two-storey portion of the L-shape to keep a reduced overall scale. It accommodates the master bedroom suite with bathroom and dressing room, two children’s bedrooms, a large family bathroom, a separate shower room, a dressing room, and a storage room. This configuration keeps the children close to the parents while maintaining privacy. In total, Skylark comprises four bedrooms and a variety of functional spaces designed to support flexible family-oriented living.
Throughout the home, rectilinear details are repeated within the form and structure. Large windows compose views, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. Simple lines appear in the built-in furniture like kitchen bench nook, cabinetry and shelving creating a sense of order while contributing to a clean design that is functional and visually pleasing. High ceilings and beam detailing add to the sense of spaciousness.
Materiality is pared-back yet impactful. Externally, linear light grey Danish brick defines the facades, selected after extensive research, showroom visits and mock-up panels. The clients influenced the shape, colour, and tone, wanting a distinctive presence within the area. Castellated detailing, inspired by the Tate Modern, introduces texture, rhythm and shadow across the brick surfaces.
Internally, natural and honest materials reinforce a sense of warmth and continuity. Lime plaster sourced from Herefordshire covers the walls, chestnut timber from a nearby timber yard forms the ceilings, and clever bespoke joinery crafted locally integrates with the architecture. Deep veined marble features on the kitchen worktop and bathroom sink, and the external castellated detail is reflected internally in the dining banquette. The palette of lime, timber and concrete allows the spatial qualities and material textures to dominate.
Environmental performance and sustainability are embedded throughout the design. Skylark employs air source heat pumps and MVHR systems to deliver highly efficient thermal regulation. The concrete floors act as thermal mass, retaining heat in winter and moderating temperature in summer to minimise energy consumption. Biodiversity was enhanced through extensive planting, including 2,000 bulbs, new trees, and pollinator-friendly species, transforming the site into a thriving landscape. The green roof further supports ecology while improving insulation and stormwater management. Much of the material palette was sourced locally, reflecting House Of EM’s commitment to contextual design.
Skylark demonstrates House Of EM’s design principles in practice: architecture and interior design that is rooted in its surroundings, meticulously detailed from inside out, and realised for clients willing to embrace a collaborative approach.
