Ström Architects Ltd

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes

WOODPECKERS

Ström Architects

ARCHITECTS
Ström Architects

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Barton Engineers

PHOTOGRAPHS
Luke Hayes

MANUFACTURERS
Matclad Himley Red Smooth, Smart Windows, Untreated Siberian Larch

QUANTITY SURVEYOR
Patrick Swift Associates

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Magnus Ström

CATEGORY
Houses

LOCATION
New Forest District, United Kingdom

AREA
194 m²

YEAR
2015

Text description provided by architect.

The design for the house, which is used by the family mainly as holiday home, was constrained by planning issues that to some extent dictated the built footprint and its position on the site.

Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes
Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes

Very tight size restrictions forced the design to push windows to the outside of the envelope, not allowing any overhangs which would be included in an area calculation, therefore reducing the actual built area.

However, within the allowable area there was provision for the inclusion of a conservatory, and one challenge was how to successfully integrate this with architecture devoid of the normal connotations of a lean-to structure.

The very simple building is also driven by economics of construction. The superstructure consists of a timber frame that was erected onsite.

Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes
Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes

Spans as well as the width of the house are decided by the performance restrictions of standard timber truss components. Fenestration is generated by floor-to-ceiling gaps in the timber façade.

The house sits on a platform that creates a terrace to the south and the east. This platform connects with a masonry chimneybreast that provides an internal fireplace and a concrete hearth with integrated seating.

The platform, being raised slightly off the ground, allows a level connection between inside and outside terraces as well as raises the house off the ground, which in the winter months can be quite wet.

Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes
Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes

The building is finished in larch cladding that will weather to a silver grey colour.

Product Description. The Matclad brickslip flooring extends from the external terraces throughout the entire of the ground floor, giving a more connected feeling between the internal and external environments.

Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes
Woodpeckers
© Luke Hayes

The brick plinth unites the whole scheme; whether they are entertaining indoors, looking out across the terrace towards the garden, or dining al fresco between the house and the formal lawn, the clients are always aware of their relationship with the outdoors.


Woodpeckers
Floor Plan
Woodpeckers
Floor Plan


Woodpeckers
Section
Woodpeckers
Section


Woodpeckers
Location Plan
Woodpeckers
Site Plan

Ström Architects Ltd
T +44 1590 677442
Ström Architects Ltd
Unit 4, The Old Printworks, 85b High St, Lymington SO41 9AN, United Kingdom