Downley House, Petersfield Residence, England Residential Development Photos, New English Architecture

Downley House, England

Petersfield Residential Property design by Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects

5 Sep 2013

Design: Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects

Location: Ditcham, Petersfield, England GU31

photo : Nick Kane

Petersfield Residence – Downley House

Downley House Petersfield

This large private house is a tour de force in a technicolour architectural style that derives from that of James Stirling, from whose practice these architects emerged. This means that it is an assemblage of strong primary forms, mostly cylinders and cubes. The entire structure, including the curved elements, is of cross-laminated timber.

photo : Nick Kane

The procurement process was unusual. The client acted as his own contractor and project manager, and employed sub-contractors directly. The architect’s working drawings are in the form of meticulous hand-drawn, coloured and mostly three dimensional details. Such architecture will not be to everyone’s taste, but this is a private house and the client loves it. It is sustainable, exceeding Passivhaus standards, entirely coherent, beautifully realised and, in its own terms, near perfect.

photo : Nick Kane

Downley House – Building Information

Architect: Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects
Client: Private
Consultants: Techniker
MottMacdonald-FulcrumProjec-Techniques + Farrer Huxley Associates
Contractor: Downley Inspiring Construction

Contract Value: confidential
Date of completion: December 2011
Gross internal area: 650 sq m

photo : Nick Kane