The steeply sloping site presented an opportunity to create a house which enjoyed both views across the valley to the north and a level sunny garden to the south.

The main house is organised over three floors with bedroom accommodation on the lowest floor partially buried into the face of the hill. The house is long and narrow built along the contour of the slope. Inverting the traditional house arrangement has allowed us to design the main living accommodation as double aspect spaces opening to the south onto the main garden whilst also enjoying views to the north. A split level in the living areas adds further to the internal sculptural complexity.

There is a deliberate contrast between the intimate cellular spaces of the bedroom level and the open, spacious sun filled volumes created around the double height living area. The main staircase is located and arranged to act as a large light well in the back of the lowest floor, allowing sun to penetrate into the circulation areas.

In the roof space a guest suite and home office are linked via a bridge overlooking the staircase and dining room below.

Phase two of the scheme will provide a detatched studio annex, for visiting guests, and a separate garage and store building, creating a semi courtyard feel to the garden and enhancing privacy.