Houzz Tour: A Family House Contemporary in Woodland clearing

Houzz Tour: A Family House Contemporary in Woodland clearing - Nestled on 22 acres of land on the edge of Ashdown Forest, Red Bridge House is a remarkable and beautiful new House. 'W e just wanted to build something modern without shame, "said the architect Piers Smerin, who designed it. "No brash or as a fantastic space ship, but something that tells you exactly what time it was built.

Clad in steel and wood and rusty with masses of beautiful windows and a large covered veranda, the house manages to be both contemporary and friendly to its landscape. The beech and chestnut woodlands that back him look the same golden color as its exterior in the fall, and its references form of no-nonsense farm buildings that pepper this part of East Sussex. "It is in part a boorish country, and its owners really embraced that, said Piers.

The house was completed in 2013 after nearly four years of planning and work, and is now enjoyed by a family of six. Indoor and outdoor covered porch allows family life to flow out of pared-back inside the house. "The owners were clear about the housing they needed and had strong ideas about what should go where, 'says Piers. They also took a practical refreshing approach to the design process. "They like things to have a purpose," says Piers. "They did not want the assignment. All aspects of the design was to be there for a reason, not just for decorative effect.

Despite winning a prestigious award clutch in 2014, this home definitely has its feet on the ground. "It's a family house work," says Piers. "It has a contemporary style, but it's not the kind of place you have to work out how to live in.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A family of six, with four children ages 2 to 19
Location rural East Sussex, on the edge of Ashdown forest
property a three-storey newly built house with a indoor pool
Size 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
designer Piers Smerin of Smerin Architects
project duration about four years

Smerin Architects

the house was built on the site of a bungalow, built in the 1920s, which had fallen into disuse. The owners saw a chance to take down and build something new. "I wanted it to be quite simple, like a clearing in the woods with a house there, said Piers. "The ground had been laid, but it was invaded, and we wanted to go back to something more wild, instead of fancy Edwardian garden that was created here, with trees and azalea trees that line the road.

Smerin Architects

"I think planners feared that someone might want to build a sort of $ Female footballers " home on the site; a classical mansion house with many outbuildings and filing discs for cars" said Piers. "Our design is quite delicate in the way it is on earth."

Smerin Architects

"We wanted to occupy the footprint of the original property and not go too far beyond," said Piers. "the house is a slightly larger than the bungalow that was there before, but some of it is cantilevered, so it sort of expands outside. "the cantilever design brings drama without trampling over all the earth.

Smerin Architects

The elevation which faces the forest is made from rusted steel panels. "It is a weathering steel, said Piers. "It goes through a process naturally rust, but stops.

The steel was gunmetal gray when installed, but had rusted in this color after about three months of the wet winter, well before the construction was completed. "It is a hard, can withstand anything nature can throw at it, pigeon poo debris! 'Piers said.

Weathering steel liner Corten steel.

Smerin Architects

three sides of the house are clad in wood. "It is ThermoWood vertical sheathing, 'says Piers. "It is a Scandinavian product -. A soft wood that is heat treated so that it does not degrade

Smerin Architects

Piers designed the porch as a covered space, so it could be enjoyed by all ages. "Wet day you can still have the doors open and if it starts to drizzle it is not a problem, he said. "Likewise, if it is hot, you do not have the sun coming through any window.

The sliding of oors disappear into solid walls. "With small children run, it's nice to have an opening quite clear without signs or folding doors parked on the sides, said Piers.

Smerin Architects

steel rods stainless single run from the roof down on the edge of the veranda. "We used stainless steel mesh on the side," said Piers. "We did think glass, but decided he might need cleaning too. Mesh work and does not block the view.

Smerin Architects

wall concrete on the ground floor was cast with a pattern of wood, to use the wooden cladding on the outside. The stairs are made of oak fingers, cut in the surrounding woods, which are related in the concrete wall and cantilevered on. "Wood is not quite perfect, says Piers. "When it has dried, it is moved and changed a bit, but it's nice to have some rustic touches.

Bertoia Side Chair Harry Bertoia for Knoll.

Smerin Architects

this living space is behind the kitchen, on the side of the entrance to the house. "It is a triangular area looking in the woods," said Piers, "warmed by a wood stove. The chairs are old designs of the 1930s that have been reupholstered.

Smerin Architects

This space life is just a tip of the main communal space, and sank off the kitchen. "With a large family, you can be separated from them, but always in a great area if you want," said Piers. The living room floor is polished concrete, with walls and concrete ceiling.

Cupboard, Kitchen Rational. Womb Womb sofa and armchairs, Eero Saarinen for Knoll.

Discover smooth polished concrete secrets

Smerin Architects

I felt it was cleaner to use the same kitchen cabinets in the kitchen and the living room, 'says Piers. The storage at the end of cooking kit contains cooking and food, but later on the cabinets are used for other things, like DVDs and toys. "The units are purple laminate of the German company Rational, said Piers.

Smerin Architects

main bedroom has its own private balcony, which is on the roof above the fireplace. "Parents can be completely away from the family here, said Piers. 'The balcony is on the opposite side to the large veranda and is accessible only through their room.

Smerin Architects

"rather than just having a corridor here, I wanted to create a comfortable space for the game, with seats and a library, too, 'Piers. Now say, three window seats flank the landing of the top floor. "When I' I designed the house, the family had only three children, said Piers. "Then they had another! We believe the extension of the house, but it was too late!

the wonderful world the window seats

Smerin Architects

lights on the top floor bearing are perpendicular to the wall, recessed and flush with the ceiling. "They create a wash of light down on the wall," said Piers. "They look great, but have a real purpose, too.

Smerin Architects

A mirror breaks the bank of storage units in the bathroom. On the other side of the tub, the shot is an open shower. "Its design was typical owners pragmatic, said Piers. "Do not waste money on a piece of glass as a water border, where water from the shower just to get into the bath.

basin and toilet, Duravit. Bath, Bette.

Smerin Architects

room of the eldest daughter also has a balcony, and all rooms have stable doors, they open outwards.

Smerin Architects

heated pool runs along one side of the ground floor with sliding doors so it can be opened on the garden. "The owners were a little worried having opened early with muddy kids jumping in the pool," said Piers, but design works beautifully. "Sometimes, deer and foxes wander up to the window and put their nose against it," he added.

butterfly chairs, Ferrari-Hardoy.

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Houzz Tour: A Family House Contemporary in Woodland clearing Houzz Tour: A Family House Contemporary in Woodland clearing

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