Bowland, Parbold

Brief:

• Detached Family Dwelling
• Five Bedrooms
• Triple Garage
• 4 Bathrooms
• Limited Site
• Semi Open Plan
• First Floor Terrace
• Raised Garden

Bio: Peter Dickinson Architects were employed by the client to design and manage the contract of a unique detached family dwelling set in the village of Parbold, West Lancashire. Located on a small – semi private lane, the site was ideally located and chosen by the clients to be location of a replacement dwelling. The site itself was fair in size but for the scale of dwelling desired by the client a contemporary method to retain external space was required.

The solution by Peter Dickinson Architects was to elevate external recreational space to first floor level, allowing a high level of outdoor space to be retained. The inversion of the internal arrangement, moving living accommodation to first floor level allowed this external space to be directly linked to the internal social spaces, whilst retaining privacy for the bedroom facilities at ground floor level. This inversion allows the living accommodation to make use of the As each aspect of the internal accommodation had similar levels of priority the octagonal bases design allowed for a consistent level of quality of space to be created throughout the dwelling. At first floor level the living room, dining and kitchen spaces all enjoy large amounts of natural light through high-level glazing – made possible by the angulations of the roof and internal space.

The building is composed of brickwork, render and stained cedar cladding, allowing for a complimentary palette of materials, situated under an angulated slate roof. The window fittings are brushed aluminium, allowing this glazing to be offset from the materials surrounding it.

The landscaping plan follows the unique form of the building and mirrors the palette of materials used throughout the dwelling. The formation of the surrounding landscaping combined with the topography of the site allows the building – whilst striking and unique – nestles itself beautifully into its context.

The result is a contemporary and striking dwelling that provides solutions to a restrictive site whilst providing a high quality of design. The completed dwelling is a unique design, which has seen acknowledgment by the RIBA Interiors publication 2009.