MWE have been working very closely with the client to create a house inspired by the arts and crafts period, in particular the vernacular houses created by Frank Lloyd Wright. The site comprises the development of sloping ground to the north of Glanton which has resulted in an interesting massing which is limited to single storey, extending horizontally from the hillside.  The roofscape reinforces the horizontal and is proposed as low-pitched roofs with deep overhang at the eaves. To visually anchor the building, it is proposed to construct a series of strong vertical elements, chimneys and vertical foils, to contain the massing of the building, simple in form and defined by the topography and the requirement to root the building into the landscape.

The appearance of the dwelling has been designed primarily in response to its setting within the landscape and proximity of the conservation area. However, rather than replicate the historical buildings in the area, the architecture balances its own identity, with the traditional vernacular buildings of the village.

The landscape and topography of the site plays a key role in the design of the development. The site is on the edge of the settlement of development in Glanton. It is partially raised from the village and set back from the road to minimise its visual impact from the public aspect. The site, in this sense, is less constrained than the historical development within the village. For this reason, the form of the building, horizontal in nature, has been inspired by the context of the site, however the appearance of the conservation area plays a key part of its materiality. As such, a range of carefully selected traditional local vernacular materials and details are proposed. The plinth, together with the vertical elements of the massing will be constructed from locally sourced stone in rough hewn blocks of various sizes in horizontal seams with concealed mortar bedding to the rear. In this way, the stonework will reflect the traditional use of stone in the area, particular within the rural areas which feature dry stone walling and the like. The building then extends vertically in an upward growth of more refined materials above a simple stone string course to delineate areas of off white harling type render and a limited use of zinc cladding within areas of fenestration. The massing of the pitched roof will serve to reinforce the strong horizontality of the building finished with slate and lead hips and ridge details. The appearance of several smaller flat roofs finished with zinc standing seams cladding system will add interest to the roofscape whilst remaining subservient to the pitched roofs which reflect the traditional use of pitched roofs in the area.