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Highlands - Somerset - Residential - On Site

Highlands seeks to utilise existing landscaping features and the efficient use of the building’s form in order to mitigate the impact of the scheme upon its immediate and wider context.

The new build consists of an enlarged building footprint and strong rectilinear base; the pediment of the building consists of a triangular block with a steep roof pitch in order to facilitate the occupiable roofspace. The steep raking roof line takes note of the many agricultural buildings within the surrounding context. Agricultural buildings are designed with absolute efficiency in mind; the proposed house looks to adopt a similar domestic efficiency in order to create a building sensitive to its surroundings. The house is designed to Passivhaus standards, with efficiency of form paramount to the architecture.

Orientated towards the Mendip Hills

The footprint of this residential scheme has increased from the existing property, with a large rectilinear block plan better orientated in order to take advantage of passive solar gains. To the south of the plan an open single-storey car port has been introduced. As opposed to this acting as a standalone suburban garage, it was felt this element should be intrinsic to the overall design.

A single triangular mass forms the pediment to the building, a steep raking pitch serves a functional and deliberately agricultural purpose. The ridge line is reduced by over a metre from the existing, with the steep profile allows for the upper storey to be inhabited. A dormer is proposed to further facilitate usable space, orientated towards the Mendip Hills in order to benefit from the site’s expansive views.

A circular window is formed within the west elevation of the building, with a direct alignment to Glastonbury Tor.

The Process

  • New Build
  • Architectural Sketch
  • Eco-Home
  • New Build Home
  • Eco Home Materials
  • Process Model
  • New Build Drawing