Little Walden, West Grimstead

Located in a little known corner of Wiltshire without public roads, Little Walden offered its architects the chance to make the most of a generous site, using a range of single storey forms that answered the owners’ wish to avoid stairs and create somewhere that would be comfortably habitable for many years to come. The biggest statement comes on the south side, where a simple block in brick and flint, with extensive glazing, is flanked by two projecting blocks clad in timber and containing bedrooms. The angle between these and the original block opens up the ensemble to the countryside beyond. The simple triangular forms of the end of the blocks is enhanced by the use of aluminium edgings to the slate roofs, which has been used to keep gutters and downpipes invisible. Inside, the triangular windows to the bedrooms which occupy the ends of the flanking blocks have protection from the sun in the forms of cleverly mechanised blinds, in several sections. The interiors had been well thought through in many other respects also. Sustainability values were clearly integral to the project, with consideration of the house’s orientation in relation to the sun, high levels of insulation, and the incorporation of solar panels, back-up batteries, and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery. The combination of traditional materials with modern technology appealed to the judges, and made an award an easy decision.

Architects: Adam Knibb Architects

Photo: Richard Chivers