This is an entry I submitted to a 2015 design competition, for well-to-do family in Britain. They had bought a golf course in the countryside just outside of London, and were in the process of transforming the grounds into a picturesque setting to be enjoyed by a family of 7, and guests. As a large manor, the complex has been organized to strike a balance between the privacy of the individual(s) and the shared life of family and friends. Relying on the utility of a ‘courtyard’ design it has the swimming pool in center, as this bright and active feature is a perfect device for circulating the rest of the program into a big loop that dials the various private and public areas of the house to the appropriate visibilities, volumes and connection they require. Like a mini archipelago, all the rooms collect like islands around the pool offering varied destinations and trips over the course of a given day.
Beside and counter to the pool is the outdoor courtyard /
walled garden. It pulls and directs attention outside to the expanse of the sprawling
the southward property. With sloping
walls that taper into the landscape, it operates as a large formal garden
enjoyed in solitude or with guests, and transitions to the varied other gardens
and ponds beyond, beckoning further exploration. Much of the house looks into this area, and
stretches east to west to embrace the long view.
Back inside and around the pool is a continuous 3-storey
ramp that connects the whole house in one spiraling path. From the basement
level cinema, (after watching an epic movie perhaps) one can ascend up to the
main living room and pool entrance. Further up to a split level is the care and
exercise area that remains in visual access with the main floor, and to the top
one arrives at the sleeping quarter of the house, where all the bedrooms can be
accessed and also the large roof deck for taking in the sun and warm views out
to the country side. Of course, there is also an elevator for direct passage up
all levels.
The ‘man cave’ and study part away from the main house by
way of the underground garage. Up from this lair of automation and tools,
arises a quite retreat with view out to the garden, and further up is the
higher, loftier study and gun room that connect back to the sleeping quarter by
way of the roof deck.
For her part, the 'lady of the house' has her office back at pool-side with
easy visibility to the entire main-floor, and to the west side of the property.
Perched up a small way, from the main floor she can more easily see across it,
and stay connected with the various activities of the family and guests.
Other features of the house include a basement games room
beside the cinema, and a separate dog washing room for containing the typical 4
legged mess of canines. Up in the sleeping quarter is also the guest suite with
its own bath, bedroom, living room, kitchenette and an outdoor balcony. Altogether,
the house can easily accommodate a
variety of people, and functions, but importantly it unifies all this back into
one legible home for one family.
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