The brief was to create a family home, befitting of the site and its rural setting. Forming an excellent relationship with the landscape and the nature of built form within the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales and its rich agricultural tradition and closeness with the landscape. The clients have lived in the area for a long time, growing attached and fond of the countryside and setting of Shadwell. They were successful bidders on the site at Alban Villa and were already in possession of the adjacent barns and field to the south. They intend to form a new family home on the site securing it for future generations.

Our clients, Steven and Harmeet, have a vision to create a modern family home which reflects the vernacular nature of barns and farmhouses of Yorkshire, with a highly sustainable agenda that will sit comfortably in the landscape. The brief was to create a family home, befitting of the site and its rural setting. Forming an excellent relationship with the landscape and the nature of built form within the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales and its rich agricultural tradition and closeness with the landscape.

The clients have lived in the area for a long time, growing attached and fond of the countryside and setting of Shadwell. They were successful bidders on the site at Alban Villa and were already in possession of the adjacent barns and field to the south. They intend to form a new family home on the site securing it for future generations. Our clients, Steven and Harmeet, have a vision to create a modern family home which reflects the vernacular nature of barns and farmhouses of Yorkshire, with a highly sustainable agenda that will sit comfortably in the landscape.

We took inspiration from the rural context, specifically the existing barns on site and other sone agricultural buildings which define the social, historic, and visual chapter of Yorkshire and the wider Dales landscapes.

Architecturally, the sensitive siting of a new building is vital and result in developments sitting in harmony with the landscape. To achieve this, the new building sits back from the road, meaning the perception of the slight ridge height increase is minimal, also ensuring the proposed dwelling, whilst larger, sits low in the landscape. It is aligned with the contours and natural slope of the site, and retains tree coverage, much as the existing dwelling does.

The building has distinct ‘facades’ which reflect orientation in relation to sun path as well as views, landscape, privacy and activity. The house connects well with its landscape, sitting gently in the slope, as characterised by the bank barns, which have acted as inspiration for the proposals.

The proposed dwelling is a simple, rural form with a long and linear proportion. Materials are simple, taking cues from the local vernacular, providing a building with a relatable form and palette. The use of Yorkshire stone for the ground floor and chimneys, give the building solidity and a strong barn-like aesthetic. The upper floor and roof are then clad in a dark material which similarly references rural shelters and other structures, including the barns on the site. The dark material will weather and soften, but more importantly merges into the backdrop of the trees, creating a soft and subtle appearance from a distance, reducing the impact on any long-distance glimpses through the trees.

The vernacular form and massing are blended with contemporary detailing creating a design, with an over-arching contextual approach. The use of traditional materials for the scheme, provides a suitable design response to this dynamic site and embracing the beautiful surrounding context.