The Dale

Planning permission for a new house on this site had previously been secured but had since lapsed, giving the client an opportunity to pursue a more contemporary vision. The original design presented challenges, including awkward spaces and split-level ground floors that would have been unsuitable for the client’s elderly mother.

The new design retained the L-shaped footprint of the original proposal but reimagined the layout with a striking upside-down configuration. Bedrooms were placed on the ground floor, while the living spaces above made the most of the site’s steep slope, offering expansive views and plenty of natural light where it mattered most. A lift was incorporated to ensure full accessibility throughout the home.

Nestled within a conservation area, the house seamlessly blends traditional aesthetics with cutting-edge functionality. The ground floor is clad in site-won limestone, grounding the structure in its surroundings, while weathered timber cladding softens the upper levels.

Beneath the surface, the house is built with Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF), providing exceptional airtightness and thermal insulation. Solar PV panels on the roof, combined with a state-of-the-art Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, ensure the building’s minimal heating requirements have been met.