Having enjoyed successful careers linked to property, and wise to the importance of building in an environmentally responsible way, our clients came to us to build a pool complex that would entice their three grown up children and their friends home to visit regularly.
The development features a natural mineral water swimming pool alongside a bio diverse pool house with sauna and changing facilities, laundry, indoor games room with kitchen and bar.
All set in landscaped gardens with outdoor kitchen and pergola.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
New-build timber-clad pavilion
Natural mineral water swimming pool
Low energy building
Wildflower meadow roof
Pavilion 110 sq m
Landscaping 250 sq m
Architecture
Landscape design
Project management
Interior design
Furniture & accessories
'Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we wanted the new pool house structure to be subtle and to sit harmoniously in its surroundings. Mid Sussex Council was won on the grounds of how stealthy this large structure would be.'
The existing house - a converted barn - started its life as a humble farm building linked to the grand manor house at the top of the lane.
However, a century later this outbuilding has been re-developed into a covetable family home.
Keen not to ape the original barn, we settled upon a rectilinear structure with a wildflower meadow roof. Excellent for thermal insulation, wildlife and a natural camouflage, Mid Sussex Council was won on the grounds of how stealthy this large structure would be.
The clients had their hearts set on a natural mineral water swimming pool. A sustainable style of swimming pool that uses natural mineral filters rather than chlorine to produce spring quality water that is both kinder to the environment and the body.
The result is that both plants and humans could drink the water directly from the pool.
Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we wanted the new pool house structure to be subtle and to sit harmoniously in its surroundings.
For that to be the case, a flat green roof structure with large glazing was key. It was fitting how organically the design of the building flowed from this gentle and environmentally respectful ethos.
Landscaping was designed to bridge the divide between the traditional barn and the contemporary pool house.
An industrial Corten steel wall provides a point of interest in the new space as well as offering privacy for swimmers, while the stone walls surrounding the bar and outdoor kitchen are made from the same stone as that used in the barn all of which originates from a local quarry.
A clever design feature that had enormous benefits to the project was the larch timber cladding and overhang that keeps direct sunlight off the glazed doors. Detailed 3D models and sun paths were created to ensure that the orientation of the building and the overhang would be at the perfect angles to ensure the pool house would not overheat.
We are thrilled with the pool house and the garden, although during the university holidays it can feel like being on the set of Love Island!
