House on the outskirts of the small town of Morpeth in Britain

Picturesque steep slopes covered with forest on the outskirts of the small town of Morpeth in Britain became wonderful but rather challenging conditions for building a family house by Elliott Architects, harmonizing with the atmosphere of seclusion in the forest.

Like engravings by Thomas Bewick, the structure is composed of various small elements and surfaces, demonstrating a deliberately rich palette of materials. The cross-shaped form of the building divides the plot into zones of varying degrees of solitude, while the difference in treatment of components gives the dwelling the appearance of a complex of single-story blocks comfortably placed in space; slate and brick belong to the element of earth, while wooden elements relate to the elements of wood and air, like a treehouse from childhood.

This place remained undeveloped for several years due to difficult conditions and because the technical service systems, including water supply for the nearby town, ran directly through the territory. Extensive work was required to relocate these services onto a relatively narrow plot, and the design solution was shaped with this situation in mind. Thus, a large-scale solution for pile foundations was also needed, which further restricted the budget.

All these difficulties served as a stimulus for productive collaboration between the client, design team, contractor, and architect in creating housing of the highest quality. Seamlessly integrating into the natural environment, the project develops new ways of using materials in combination with traditional skills.

Photos: Jill Tate Photography