Woodland House is a private, bespoke replacement dwelling in East Devon, completed in 2022. The clients envisaged relocating from the hustle & bustle of London to tranquil rural Devon. The couples’ children left home & so downsizing would allow them the opportunity to pursue their ambition of building their dream home. Having lived in Grade II listed properties it was important for the clients to have an air tight, energy efficient new-build. The house was to be spatially efficient for the couple, but able to accommodate the whole family for periods.
The house perches on a plateau of ground with elevated views down into the valley & also benefits from short views to mature woodland. In Forestry Commission conifer plantations, the house itself lies within a pocket of dwellings within deciduous woodland. As such, biodiversity was considered throughout the design. A garden was established for wildflowers, & woodland perennials cover ground under trees to provide relief to mossy ground.
3 distinct volumes characterise the design; a 2 storey central volume is flanked by 2 single storey wings. The main living space is within 2 volumes, whilst the 3rd provides accommodation for the family & can be closed off when not used. Angular geometry responds to contours of the site, mimicking undulations of the landscape. Diagonal timber cladding animates the geometry & considered openings have been sparingly cut into volumes to frame views. Internally, a dynamic roofscape creates vaulted ceilings.
Siberian Larch heartwood cladding was specified, finished in vacuum coated black; this is double mitred at the corners with no profile edging to ensure a sharp finish, reinforcing the form. Externally, window reveals comprise factory coated Western Red Cedar. Internally a plywood handmade kitchen is a feature of the open plan living space; a timber clad staircase connects 2 floors, & this materiality continues at 1st floor with an engineered oak timber floor.
The clients are passionate about sustainability & energy efficiency, which led to an angled roof for Photovoltaics, & an air source heat pump system was specified, making this a zero-combustible household. Build ups achieve U-values of 0.13 W/m2K to 0.16 W/m2K. A highly specified construction & fabric first approach to detailing ensured the home achieved an ‘A’ EPC rating for thermal comfort. Real-time energy consumption data has proved the dwelling’s energy efficiency, with 60% self-sufficiency across a 1-year period.
Category:Private HomesYear:2021Location:East Devon, United KingdomArchitects:AR Design StudioLead Architect: Penelope Andrews, AR Design StudioDesign Team: Andy Ramus - Director/Architect, Tom Ford - ArchitectContractor:Mew Developments, Dorset, UKClient: PrivatePhotographer: Martin Gardner
