Design Buy Build Issue 40 2019 | Page 8

Amber House, Newport Shropshire The Clients approached Studio Severn Architects to design a one-off house. They had purchased the site which had an existing planning permission for a two storey dwelling, the design of which they were not impressed with. Their brief was very clear, it had to be contemporary, ecological, timber framed, incorporate green technologies and be economical to run as they headed towards semi-retirement. The site was on the edge of a village, Nr. Newport, Shropshire, within Telford and Wrekin’s planning jurisdiction. The original house had been approved but when approached about a new design they stated that the changes in policy meant that a building on this site would no longer be supported. After much discussion and design consultation they agreed that the new approach was much better suited to the site and a new application was eventually granted. As the site is slightly elevated it affords lovely views to the south across the Shropshire landscape, an outdoor aspect and connection to the landscape was a very important part of the client’s brief and something that the design needed to maximise. New Zealand being their native home, outdoor living is very much a part of daily life out there, so the indoor/outdoor connection was key. They had seen the style of house they liked on one of their many trips back home and this became the starting point for the design. The house design is organised simply and symmetrically around a central two storey element, which contains the main reception and open plan kitchen/dining on the ground floor. The whole of the first floor is taken by the master bedroom suite with a generous double height entrance containing a long flowing oak staircase from the gallery above. 8