Derbyshire Private Residence
Country House Exterior
Found were appointed for the development of a 6,000 sq.ft new build residential property in the picturesque setting of Derbyshire. The 1.6 acre site with lush gardens, banks onto the Trent and Mersey Canal and has far reaching views towards the River Trent.
The client was looking to create an innovative and minimal home for his young family to grow up in. Having previously commissioned a design for a much larger property, they decided to revisit the scheme with Found to explore a more cost effective and considered approach.
The approach to the design of property was as a single storey structure with two pronounced pavilions with very different atmospheres, one catering for the social side of life and the other the sleeping zone. The design for a ‘stealth’ house with a gradual ‘reveal’ and sense of discovery entirely turns its back on the entrance approach. On one side you are met with a monolithic concrete barn structure devoid of any visible apertures and facing you a softly mirrored box reflecting the surrounding greenery. A glass link between the two pavilions offers a glimpse of what is beyond and provides a large central entrance hall to receive guests. The entirely concrete living structure is home to a guest mezzanine and games room, with study and garage below, while the enormous south facing double height space provides kitchen, dining and living leading onto a large west facing terrace with outdoor kitchen. The glistening sleeping pavilion opens up to the views and sunlight on the south side with each bedroom having its own floor to ceiling framed view to the distant countryside.