Replacement Dwelling near Saltash
Designed by Martin in collaboration with his former colleague James Huxley, this building represents one of the most challenging buildings undertaken to date. Initially based on the footprint of Koeschi; a hemispherical building designed by Joshua Penk for himself, it takes this concept, places a large proportion of the building underground to minimise visual impact and then extends a section of the footprint into a two-storey asymmetric pitched roof element. The result is an intriguing form based upon a radial pattern where the external walls radiate out widening the footprint to the East. The resulting pitched roof form follows this tapered footprint creating sloping eaves which extend almost ground level on the South elevation.
The building contains three bedrooms in the main ground floor section and a further bedroom within the self-contained annex. The main building and the annex are linked by an underground cellar link. The main living space is provided at first floor with outstanding views through a triple glazed gable to the countryside beyond. Minimal heating is dealt with by way of ground source heat pumps. Significantly, the building replaced an existing single-storey bungalow extending to around 80 m². The current building extends to just under 300 m² and this has been achieved through the clever design whereby the majority of the floor space is concealed below ground level.
The achievement was applauded by the Local Planning Authority in their final report :
“It is clear from the submitted drawings that although there appears to be a significant increase in scale of built form, the principle elevation with potential wider impact on views out into open countryside has been very carefully considered.”
“The use of the sloping eave slate roof introduces an unusual element to the design that takes on historic and modern qualities. The natural slate roof facing the roadside would introduce a subtle outlook from the most visible angles.”
“it is considered that the lower ground annex of semi circular design would provide attractive, low impact additional accommodation. This section of the garden is well screened and it is felt that the additional introduction of habitable space has been cleverly incorporated into broader scheme.”
“In summary, the proposal makes a positive contribution to the area, creating a visually attractive development with sensitive use of local materials; in accordance with paragraph 58 of the 2012 National Planning Policy Framework”
The achievement was applauded by the Local Planning Authority in their final report :
“It is clear from the submitted drawings that although there appears to be a significant increase in scale of built form, the principle elevation with potential wider impact on views out into open countryside has been very carefully considered.”
“The use of the sloping eave slate roof introduces an unusual element to the design that takes on historic and modern qualities. The natural slate roof facing the roadside would introduce a subtle outlook from the most visible angles.”
“it is considered that the lower ground annex of semi circular design would provide attractive, low impact additional accommodation. This section of the garden is well screened and it is felt that the additional introduction of habitable space has been cleverly incorporated into broader scheme.”
“In summary, the proposal makes a positive contribution to the area, creating a visually attractive development with sensitive use of local materials; in accordance with paragraph 58 of the 2012 National Planning Policy Framework”