Project: The Kennedy House

A replacement house on a site that sits at the westernmost end of the village of Stoke Row in the Chilterns with distant views to the west and north across rolling farmland. The design is based on a ‘pinwheel’ plan formed from 2.1 metre high coursed stone walls that divide the site and domestic accommodation into quadrants. At first floor a linear timber-clad element containing bedrooms floats across on a north-south orientation.

A chimney with wood-burning stove lies in the open plan living space at the heart of the house and defines dining and kitchen spaces to one side and lounge area to the other.

The plan creates an entrance court to the south, a large courtyard to the west and two garden spaces to the north and east.

PROJECT DETAILS

Ground floor accommodation is planned in a pinwheel configuration and so has three distinct zones – a wing containing garage and guest suite to the west, a wing containing utility and guest bedrooms to the east (both sitting beneath a grassed roof ) and a living–dining–kitchen space with large areas of glazing that runs north–south to enjoy the north and westerly views.

The living space is imagined as a ‘glass room’ sitting within the courtyard, with fully glazed sliding screens onto the courtyard and a flank wall sliding out into the landscape to reinforce the inside outside connection.

A masonry fireplace creates some separation between the living and dining spaces, while a top-lit, double-height space above the dining area has an open plan study area above.

The upper ‘box’ containing family bedroom suites is expressed as a timber ‘sleeve’ which cantilevers at both ends to reveal deeply recessed fully glazed walls.

The highly insulated upper volume is clad in vertical slats of Sweet Chestnut over a clerestorey, above thin-coursed stone walls. Chestnut and pre-weathered zinc infill panels complete the composition.

The house will have a ground source heat pump serving underfloor heating and a woodburning stove in the fireplace.

Client: Julian + Dr Pamela KennedyStatus: Completion 2011Contract value: £1,300,000.00

Structural Engineer: Barton EngineersM+E Engineers: IsoenergyContractor: Ridgetree Projects