The site is located within the South Downs National Park alongside an ancient drove road used by fisherfolk to carry fresh fish from the old fishing village of Brighton to the county town of Lewes.
The house was conceived as a memory of two dilapidated sheds which the project has replaced. The first contains an open plan living area and benefits from a southerly aspect with full height sliding glazing onto the rear garden. The second contains the bedrooms with east facing windows giving morning light and a more private aspect onto a wooded copse. The space between the ‘sheds’ is then efficiently planned as a core containing all support spaces.
© Charles Meloy
A restrained palate of materials references the woodland and rural setting with the external walls and roof wrapped in western red cedar. Aligned vertically and left to weather naturally this contextualises the dwelling amongst the surrounding trees.
Hot dip galvanized steel references modern agricultural detailing and was used for the entrance ramp and to precisely frame all the triple glazed windows. This approach was chosen not only for its aesthetic relevance to the site location but also the superior longevity and robustness over painted finishes.
Read more about the 2020 Detail Award Winner