A House in a Landscape
This house, designed by the Architect for his and his wife’s retirement, is in a highly sensitive location on L’Ancresse Common, surrounded by an SSS, with a wild orchid meadow as part of the site. The landscape of bracken, gorse, stone walls and pebbly beaches has inspired the design; sustainability, recycled and salvaged materials and natural finishes are hallmarks of the deeply personal result, which also incorporates many details from the Architect’s past projects. It reflects his long-term philosophy that “a building should be as good to experience for those viewing from outside, as it is from within”. And in this case it is intended to be a part of the landscape itself.
The house incorporates salvaged natural slates, reclaimed local granite and pebbles, used ormer shells, oak lintels salvaged from a ruin, reused portholes and ironmongery; wooden furniture made locally, some from salvaged beams from Herm, that were used in the C19th by Prince Bluecher for his Ballroom! Sustainable larch cladding outside and in, and a sedum + local heather roof compliment the quirky ‘non-fashionable’ design.
Disabled access and ground floor bedrooms and bathrooms cater for future needs. The house is entirely electric, with minimal energy requirements due to high levels of insulation, including wrapping the original bungalow walls, photovoltaic cells and a battery bank, and an ultra efficient stove. The house is filled with light and benefits from natural solar heating and good through ventilation.
The orchid meadow is being carefully managed, and the orchids increased by 100% this year. All new planting on site will be native pollinating species.
