Background

Set into a sloping site and accessed via a historic sunken lane. At first glance, the barrel-vaulted roof and glass-floor threshold hint at innovation.

Behind that lies a carefully conceived home that inverts its layout: living spaces occupy the upper volume, while quieter areas, such as the library and bedrooms, lie below.

By marrying principles of sustainable architecture with elegant form and acoustic performance, we can create a luxury home that’s deeply rooted in nature and built for the future.

Process

The driveway sweeps past the home’s prow, arriving level with the upper floor to deliver an experience of arrival that’s both dramatic and respectful of the site. The inverted plan gives priority to natural light: a glass floor at the entrance brings daylight into the lower library and living spaces.

We positioned the kitchen and dining areas to the east to capture the morning sun, while west-facing living areas and a timber terrace enjoy the glow of sunset over the Chilterns. The central music room, designed with walnut furniture and a suspended ceiling, is acoustically optimised using sliding glass walls that allow closure when needed.

Sustainability informed our material choices and systems. We specified a timber frame for thermal mass, a green roof to reduce runoff and support habitat, and green oak cladding that will weather beautifully over time. Renewable technologies, solar thermal and PV panels, supply around 20% of the home’s energy, while natural ventilation and passive design reduce its energy demand.

Architecture

The home is a beautifully crafted expression of low energy and timber innovation. The barrel-vaulted roof reduces perceived height while maximising ceiling volume, and its curves contribute to the building’s acoustics, especially in the music room.

Key design features include:

Green Roof: Enhances biodiversity, manages rainwater runoff, and helps the building blend into the woods.
Green Oak Cladding: Over time, the timber will weather naturally, integrating the home into its landscape.
High Thermal Performance: The timber-frame and concrete combination gives excellent thermal mass, helping to regulate internal temperatures with minimal energy input.
‍Renewable Energy: Solar PV and thermal panels contribute to the home’s low-carbon operation.
Daylight and Transparency: The glass floor at the entrance, corner windows, and mirrored interiors create rich visual connections between storeys, light, and landscape.

The Oak House

Background

Process

Architecture