Country House

Shape Architecture was commissioned to undertake the sustainable and architectural re-working of a country house near St. Albans. Our work on similar projects in Bray, Berkshire and the recommendation of this client were important in securing this commission.

The result has been a striking reworking of the property that includes the introduction of a ground source heat pump with the pipes being run through an adjacent field providing the energy for the space heating on which we worked with sustainable experts ‘Better Planet’.

Other important architectural decisions addressed the interior which was configured as series of small spaces, with long runs of corridors and not much connection with the grounds that surround the house. The stair also was very much a back of house item. Our proposal saw the creation of a striking triple height space on entry, into which a feature stair was located Then off this space the entrance to a large kitchen, dining and sitting room and to the other side a series of quieter rooms. All with a far improved connection to the outside and filled with natural light.