The low-energy new-build family home on an agricultural site has been built for a couple and their two teenage children and replaces a small, poorly constructed dwelling on the site.Facing towards the rolling South Downs, the undulating pitched roof form was designed to echo the surrounding countryside and the roofs of nearby barns. The house was constructed primarily of Douglas fir timber, solid limestone, and spruce CLT, with concrete only used in the foundation slab. Wilkinson King Architects collaborated with engineers Webb Yates on the structural and environmental aspects of the design.Arranged over two floors, the house is planned round a double-height hall with a quarter-turn solid stone staircase. On the ground floor is a large family sitting room with hidden snug and open-plan kitchen/dining/living space, with ancillary spaces situated along the north side.AdvertisementThe design make the most of the panoramic views with a ribbon of full-height glazing in the living spaces, the corners of which are able to slide away and open up. The glazing is designed for low winter sun to permeate it and help light and warm the house but is protected from summer solar gain by an overhanging loggia to the south and west. This is supported on series of structural limestone columns and beams: each column made from a single piece of limestone, the largest being 2,600 x 1,200 x 400mm.The north and east elevations of the ground floor are composed of structural timber with mineral wool insulation and a solid limestone outer wall.The houses upper storey and roof are constructed entirely in European spruce CLT clad in Western Red Cedar, which sits on top of timber joists. The cedar cladding has been left untreated and will silver over time. All four dual-aspect bedrooms are located on the first floor, with the master bedroom opening out to a west-facing terrace.Throughout the design, exposed CLT structure, limestone and Douglas fir create a warm and natural interior finish.Architects viewField House is a new-build family home set in agricultural land just outside the area of outstanding natural beauty of the South Downs. It presented us with a wonderful opportunity to deliver a highly-efficient low-carbon home using natural materials. The location is incredible and the final design really captures and frames the exceptional views of the Sussex landscape as well as establishing itself as part of that landscape. Collaborating with Webb Yates and The Stone Masonry Company was a rewarding experience, allowing us to navigate the unique and intricate challenges of working with structural stone and creating a house that is highly sustainable in construction.The house is highly insulated and oriented to mitigate overheating in summer without the need for mechanical cooling systems while making the most of the solar gain in winter. High levels of fabric efficiency and airtightness reduce space heating energy demand. The residual demand is fulfilled by an air source heat pump featuring a high energy efficiency of 335 per cent, feeding underfloor heating systems throughout the home. The energy is all-electric and supplied from renewable sources. Good air circulation and passive cooling are provided by mixed-mode ventilation with heat recovery. The total operational carbon emission rate of the house is 15 kg/m/year, achieving an overall 33.9 per cent reduction against the national baseline performance.The only concrete in the project was used for the buildings foundation slab, which was engineered as thin as possible. In order to avoid unnecessary use of materials, this was then polished and sealed creating a sleek and durable flooring. Through all these measures the project has achieved the equivalent of minus 85 kg/CO2/m in construction.Chantal Wilkinson, project architect, Wilkinson King ArchitectsClients viewThe site offered an incredible opportunity and Wilkinson King completely understood and expertly communicated our vision, creating a contemporary, highly efficient, and sustainable home using beautiful natural materials. Looking out, the house feels as if it were rooted in the landscape. Perfectly positioned to capture the best of the light and views, wherever you are inside, there is constant connectivity to the outdoors and the changing colours of the seasons. Every day feels special here. Source:Wilkinson King ArchitectsProject dataLocation West SussexStart on site February 2022CompletionApril 2023Gross internal floor area 375m2 (house) + 30m2 (garage)Site area 2,022m2Architect Wilkinson King ArchitectsClient Private clientStructural engineer Webb Yates EngineersM&E consultant Webb Yates EngineersQS Wilkinson King ArchitectsLandscape consultant Guillaume BaltzPrincipal designer Wilkinson King ArchitectsMain contractor Excalibur Building Contractors/The Stone Masonry Company (structural stone)Advertisement