Award winning, architect designed, south facing eco home in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Beeches is an award-winning bespoke replacement dwelling located within East Devon's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty enjoying far-reaching views. Situated within the parish of Uplyme, the property was completed in 2022 by RIBA award-winning Winchester based, AR Design Studio. The house has won several awards including Build It Magazine's award Best Timber Framed House' in their 2023 annual national awards, in Future House Awards 2023 and an Honourable Mention' in the internationally prestigious Architecture Master Prize Awards 2023 (Category: Architectural Design Residential Architecture Single Family)
Beeches lies within a pocket of houses surrounded by Forestry Commission tree plantations; the deciduous woodland creates an intimate setting, but opens up to the valley in winter. The house perches on an existing plateau of flat ground, meaning that it benefits from far reaching elevated views down the sloped garden into the valley beyond, and at the same time short views to mature woodland that bounds the property. Due to its setting, biodiversity was considered throughout the design process; a specific garden space was established for meadow wildflowers and woodland perennials cover the ground under trees.
The project is a lesson in combining a striking architectural form with sympathetic details, and the resulting house is a perfect turn-key lock and leave' solution. It is divided into three distinct volumes: the two-storey central volume flanked by impressive single storey wings. Offering a great deal of versatility when needed, Beeches is able to be compartmentalised when not use to ensure no excess energy consumption or heat loss.
The angular geometry responds to the views and contours of the site, growing in plan and elevation mimicking the hillside undulations of the wider landscape. The geometry is further reinforced through the materiality and detailing with superb finished diagonal Siberian Larch cladding accentuating the angles of each volume. The larch cladding has been double mitred at the corners with no profile edging to ensure a sharp, almost sculptured finish. Picture windows have been used to frame and enhance specific views.
Entering this wonderful home at the top of the drive, the house's central volume is framed by mature magnolia and Cherry trees, and a sweeping path (for accessibility) leads to the front door. Upon entry to the principal family space a framed view to the valley beyond is immediately presented and sets the tone for things to come. Internally, the dynamic roofscape creates vaulted ceilings providing varying spatial experiences, and a handmade bespoke Birch plywood kitchen is a feature of the open plan living space and giving a very clean-lined, minimal Scandinavian feel. To one side of the central space is a semi-separated living space (for TV viewing and reading), and to the other a corridor, with a frame view of the eastern grounds at the end, which leads past bedrooms to a further reception room with a 3.5 metre height volume that is currently the music room. An oak timber clad staircase connects the two floors, and this materiality continues at the first floor with an engineered oak floor. On the first floor is an ample landing with feature picture windows north & south, a fully functional work from home' study (where the house' network is located), and the principal suite with ensuite bathroom, boasting a 4-metre high ceiling volume and a huge picture frame view of the tree canopies and valley beyond. Particular attention has to be drawn to the finely detailed bespoke Birch plywood joinery installed throughout the house that provides ample amounts of clever storage.
Future proofing was central to the design concept, and eco credentials including energy efficiency and sustainability of the house were mandatory elements; the sculpted roof forms are angled advantageously for Photovoltaic panels and this coupled with the installation of an air source pump heating system and wet underfloor heating throughout creates a zero combustible all electric household with a very low carbon footprint. The wall, floor and roof build ups achieve U-values of between 0.13 0.16 W/m2K; this highly specified construction and fabric first' approach has ensured the completed project achieved an enviably and rare EPC rating of A' (rated 97) for thermal comfort. The real time energy data has illustrated the dwelling's energy efficiency, achieving 60% electricity self-sufficiency across a 1-year active period (2023). Beeches also benefits from a 10-year house building warranty.
Gardens and Grounds
Outside, Beeches is approached via a 0.9 mile long private lane flanked by ancient woodland, that gives a true sense of peace and tranquillity. There is ample parking for several cars plus a garage. There is a further sizeable garden shed valuable storage for gardening equipment. The grounds of approximately 1.4 acres are mostly laid to lawn with numerous established trees and shrubs providing visual interest. There is a wonderful raised terrace directly outside the south elevation which effortlessly flows from inside the house creating both an inside outside and infinity perspective offering a superb spot for alfresco dining.
Please note, whilst the photo images used are real, there is a neighbour to the western boundary and their property has been removed from the images.
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Beeches is incredibly special, the attention to detail and design is simply stunning and a real one off!
Tom BedfordProperty agent