High Trees

Whilst working at GRT Architecture in Wirksworth, I designed a subterranean garage to house a client’s collection of vintage sports cars. The site was a steep grass bank with two turning heads ready-made.

I took these as inspiration for a pit-stop-style garage where cars could drive in one end and out the other. Bays inside allow 3-4 cars to park up, and a workshop offers space for working on one should this be required. Above is a party space with large-format sliding glass doors overlooking a huge terrace, the valley beyond, and a private garden to the rear.

The simple architecture is purposefully brutalist at garage level, becoming lighter above to blend in with the coppice of trees which are the backdrop.

Outside shot of grass and upstairs at High Trees

Click on one of the images below to zoom in and enter a slideshow gallery.

Design illustration of project at High Trees
zoomed out design illustration at High Trees
breaking ground at High Trees
Work in progress, concrete at High Trees
Concrete structure at High Trees
Construction in progress outside at High Trees
Drive leading up to work in project at High Trees
Outside cladding on work in progress at High Trees
Exterior shot on a rainy day wooded outside of project at High Trees
Exterior shot from driveway at High Trees work in progress still
Top down design illustration of High Trees building and surrounding gardens
Turf going down outside of the top level at High Trees project
Interior shot of red Porsche in the garage at High Trees
Interior shot of red Porsche and sky light in the garage at High Trees
Diagonal groove in cement at wall at High Trees
Design drawing at High Trees with annotations