Dean House
Concept
Dean House is a project currently in planning stage and awaiting approval.
The existing site is a large, disused area to the rear of 70 Downs Valley Rd in the centre of Woodingdean. The site drops steeply to the West and is lined with hedges and trees on three sides. This site and its constraints led us to look at historical examples of buildings and structures in the surrounding South Downs National Park.
The concept for Dean House is for a generous family home designed to emulate the form and appearance of the old Sussex farm buildings that are dotted across the surrounding landscape, with slight alterations such as hidden gutters, varied opening sizes and a non-symmetrical roof typology to bring it into the 21st Century.
Design
Due to the steep nature of the site, we opted for a sunken walled garden, having the dual benefit of reducing the overall building height as well as creating a sheltered and secluded garden.
Sustainability is always a driving force behind how we design and Dean House is no exception, with everything from the roof typology angled to capture the maximum amount of solar, to the facade choice of sustainable and locally sourced vertical timber cladding.