Meadow House

Meadow House is located in the picturesque surroundings of Sandbach, Cheshire on the peripheries of the village of Arclid. The immediate context is characterized by gentle rolling countryside which has an inherent tranquility. The landscape is punctuated by many quaint villages, agricultural buildings and mighty, ancient trees.

The brief and proposal are heavily influenced by the setting, with particular emphasis placed upon capturing both long uninterrupted views and the outstanding natural beauty within the site.

Taking influence from vernacular clusters of farm buildings in the area, the house takes shape in the form of two perpendicular gabled masses. These forms are arranged to offer privacy between the proposal and neighbouring converted barns whilst allowing for the careful framing of views.

Materiality is derived from the local language of agricultural buildings, with brickwork used to envelop the ground floor and blackened timber used to finish the first floor and roof. Internally, light plays off of a tactile material palette of timber, wood wool and clay plaster. The landscaping of the site seeks to re-wild this once derelict and forgotten field, nestling the house in a wildflower meadow.