South Downs

West Sussex, 2019 - with Miranda Montagu Architect

A substantial new country house and gatehouse as part of a historic estate in the South Downs National Park.

The design revolves around a new central courtyard on the north side that links the house direclty with the historic elements of the estate - the walled garden and stable block Beyond this the language and form of the new building provide a focal point for the estate and offer an appropriate presence in the wider landscape without the traditional dominance imposed by a country house.

The new buildings aim to reflect the character and tones of the local geology and vernacular building materials with the use of a bespoke 'plum stone' masonry for the external wall construction. This embeds large Fittleworth Stone boulders in a mix of lime, ggbs, crushed local stone aggregate and sand to provide a robust sculptural material with minimal cement content.

Planning Permission was granted in 2019.