After searching for a new house for a number of years, our client frustrated with compromises, commissioned Mole Architects to realise their longstanding dream of building their ideal home from scratch. They sought a home that would be the centre of family life for the next 20 years, to accommodate regular return visits by their grown children, and at least one elderly parent who they wished to live permanently with them, and enable them to live comfortably in future active retirement. They desired a contemporary house that reflected their lives, culturally and physically.
A key ambition for the project was to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and minimise energy usage and heating in their daily life. Committed environmentalists, the clients chose their plot for proximity to public transport and green spaces along the river Cam. Replacing a small dilapidated pre-fabricated house, Riverview is a generous house arranged around a south facing courtyard, reminiscent of the clients grandparent’s houses in India. The distinctive rhomboid plan was conceived to maximize views and deal with the geometries of the site.
Facing into the courtyard on the ground floor are the living, dining, and kitchen spaces with a snug tying them together. Each room has generous views of the surrounding green spaces whilst also maintaining privacy and introducing natural lighting. A ground floor bedroom and ensuite formed part of the brief to allow their parent to move in, and live comfortably, An area for the future installation of a lift has been coordinated so the house can be adapted and remains fully accessible for later life living.
Early designs were tested using the PPHP Passivhaus software to reduce energy consumption, and it is constructed with a highly insulated timber frame, to a high degree of airtightness. The external appearance was partly inspired by the Mill House and barns located adjacent to the site, with the dark Flemish brickwork of a similar dimension to the Georgian brickwork of the neighbouring Grade II listed Mill.
Breaking up the brick skin of the house are light stained timber and brick detailing that hark back to those found in the buildings of India, and brickwork details found in the nearby Audley End farm buildings. Planning was achieved under delegated powers, after careful consideration had been given to the context, neighbours amenity and by demonstrating the highly sustainable design. Construction took place through Covid 19 lockdown and through working closely with the excellent contractor, the project was kept on course despite the huge challenge.
