The Gatehouse is a designed as striking a standalone guest residence set within the wider landscaped context of a private lakeside dwelling in Berkshire.

 

The surrounding landscape character and framed views between treetops and the adjacent lake influenced the sculptural and functional qualities of the design. As a result the proposals focused upon the creation of a contemporary, yet sensitive addition to the site, remaining subservient to the adjacent primary residence, whilst forming a timeless, distinctive building in its own right.

 

The accommodation is divided over two floors with garaging, workshop and wc spaces at ground floor level, with residential accommodation above. A sinuous staircase gracefully rises from ground level to living room above, closely hugging the inside of an oversized curved glass window offering a visual link to the primary residence and the surrounding landscape.

 

With primary living accommodation placed at first floor level outward views are primarily focused inwards across the site towards the ancient woodland beyond, whist shielding the occupants from the main road behind. The south eastern facing elevation is predominantly glazed, providing an engaging outlook and passive solar gains throughout the year. The two bedrooms and living room each open outwards onto a sheltered terrace area, shaded and screened from the elements by the overhanging roof above.

 

The sculptural copper clad roof form soars skywards, transitioning from a sharply pointed tip at the eastern extreme to a gently curved and playful projecting scupper at the west, casting rainwater from the roof into the site wide rainwater harvesting network.