Oxfordshire house : Architecture Information + Images

David Chipperfield Architects' Private House in Oxfordshire granted planning permission 16 Jun 2008 David Chipperfield Architects' Private House in Oxfordshire has been granted planning permission by Cherwell District Council under the PPS7 Planning Policy for country houses. It has been recently confirmed that the project has not been ‘called in’ for further consideration by the GOSE (Government Office for the South East) Situated on the edge of a spectacular natural escarpment on green belt land in Oxford­shire, this new 2,000 m2 farmhouse for a young family of eight will overlook Otmoor to the northwest and the house’s own meadow gardens to the southeast. A retaining wall strengthens the definition of the escarpment edge on which one edge of the house will sit. Composed of a collection of four, single-storey courtyard buildings facing in different directions, the design sets up a dialogue between the traditional vernacular farmstead and modern open-plan living. The courtyards mediate the house’s relationship with the wider landscape by acting as a series of outdoor rooms that separate the cultivated gardens from the agricultural land beyond. Oriented in four ­different directions, the courtyards will offer contrasting views out into the wider landscape. The low, horizontal emphasis of the house overall contributes to the proposal’s minimal visual impact – a key issue on such a prominent site – whilst maintaining the spectacular views from it. The design aims to be zero carbon, balancing a low energy requirement following passive methods with a series of energy generating devices. The existing working farm will be maintained. David Chipperfield Architects is working with Jane Wernick Associates as structural engineers, and Arup as mechanical engineers. Construction is scheduled to start at the end of 2008. Oxfordshire House image / information from David Chipperfield Architects 160608