Strzala Architects were appointed by a private client to design a bespoke new build house on land to the rear of their detached property near Holmes Chapel, Cheshire making an application for full planning permission.

The design responds to the rural surroundings of the site, opting for the barn conversion typology with a long, narrow footprint. This form allows for most spaces throughout the floor plan to enjoy dual, or triple, aspect views out to the surrounding countryside, and utilises passive design strategies which this footprint affords, such as greater daylight penetration, orientation for effective solar gain, and a shallow floor plan for cross ventilation cooling.

A palette of modern materials such as an aluminium standing seam roof and external cladding sit alongside traditional materials such as reclaimed brick and local stone sills. Aluminium is chosen to create a contemporary aesthetic using a low maintenance material with a long lifespan and recyclable credentials. The use of a standing seam roof is also highly compatible with active sustainable technologies such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting.