4 inspiring self-build homes in the countryside
Take a look at these inspiring examples of rural homes that treat their spectacular sites as a challenge and an opportunity.
A dramatic landscape or rural setting can come with fierce planning restrictions but it can also inspire radical architectural solutions.
Image: Reverdrage.no
Countryside homes make a statement, while embracing the landscape, whether that’s reflecting it or incorporating it into the construction materials. The best examples endeavour to touch the ground as lightly as possible, with owners using prefabs, generating their own energy or even going completely off grid. These 4 self-build homes innovate in their rural settings to achieve spectacular results.
Traditional Cottage Rejuvenated
Image: Paul Cashin Architects
The 200-year-old Island Cottage in West Sussex had suffered unfortunate extensions and remodellings before being bought by a couple relocating from London. They asked Paul Cashin Architects to perform a partial restoration and create a new identity for the house that would connect it visually to nearby Pagham Harbour nature reserve.
Stripping away previous additions, reorganising the interior, reinstating the library and adding a guest room, the architects worked closely with the clients, who directed the build. Local materials such as flint and timber were reintroduced and reclaimed materials used where possible for the interior.