Shanks House

A Contemporary Home Shaped by the Landscape

Shanks House is a design proposal for a contemporary replacement dwelling set on a steeply sloping site overlooking the Bourne Valley. Replacing a deteriorating cottage, the new home has been carefully designed to respond to the site's challenging topography while creating light-filled family spaces that embrace the surrounding landscape.

Rather than levelling the site, the architecture works with its natural contours, allowing the house and gardens to step gently down the hillside.

Designed Around the Site

The layout is organised to maximise views across the valley while making the most of the site's flatter terraces. Living spaces open directly onto landscaped gardens, creating a strong connection between the home and its outdoor environment.

A separate garage and workshop are linked to the main house by a lightweight glazed walkway, framing views through a sheltered courtyard and reinforcing the sense of arrival.

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Materiality

The building combines a robust brick base with contemporary detailing to create a home that feels grounded within its landscape while responding to the character of the surrounding architecture.

Simple forms and a restrained palette allow the proposal to sit comfortably within its setting, balancing contemporary design with a sensitive response to its rural context.

Sustainability

Environmental performance has been integral to the design from the outset. The proposal explores off-site construction methods alongside renewable energy technologies and green roofing to reduce environmental impact and improve long-term efficiency.

By embedding the building into the site's natural topography, the design also minimises its visual impact while strengthening its relationship with the landscape.

Shanks House demonstrates how contemporary architecture can transform a challenging site into an opportunity, creating a sustainable family home that is both responsive to its surroundings and designed for modern living.