ProjectGrain House
LocationWest Sussex
ClientPrivate
StatusPlanning Approved
A profound piece of architecture that works as a multi-generational family home
The Grain House is a multi-generational environmental family home and a truly landscape driven piece of architecture. The home was designed to nurture the various needs of the family, while responding to their desire for a profound and unique piece of architecture in a beautiful setting.
The house has been organised to create both shared and private spaces for all members of the family to enjoy the home. Meanwhile, the sculptural form and orientation of the monolithic walls take influence from historic ox-ploughed ‘ridge and furrow’ field patterns.
The proposal seeks to create something highly personal, beautiful and sensitive, using Paragraph 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Designing the form of the house
The house has been arranged in two parts, allowing the elderly parents privacy and a degree of separation from the rest of the household. This part of the home, known as the ‘Annex’ will be fully accessible and have its own library and study. The relationship between the two parts of the house is key to the success of the house. It allows three generations to enjoy living together, while respecting their individual needs.
Studio Bark considered the natural topography to create the building form, connecting views from the house and further afield with the nature around. The view from outside is both beautiful and sensitive, so that passers-by can enjoy the home as a delicate addition to the landscape.
Building an environmental family home
The walls are to be built using the world’s first carbon negative building block, invented and manufactured by UK company Lignacite. There is little to differentiate it visually from a regular concrete block, however its environmental credentials are impressive.
The design has evolved in response to studies of sunlight, drainage and views, in collaboration with environmental consultants Atmos Lab. Atmos Lab have been an integral part of the design team and have produced ongoing environmental calculations using state of the art parametric processes.
What is Paragraph 84?
The Grain House was built under Paragraph 79 (now Paragraph 84) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Known as ‘The Country House Clause’, Paragraph 84 relates to the building of new homes in the open countryside, typically on isolated sites.
