Wine Barrel-Inspired Downley House in England is Built from a Former House’s Ruins

Posted By Ana Lisa Alperovich On March 19, 2012 @ 12:09 pm In Architecture,energy efficiency,Green Materials | No Comments

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Designed by London-based Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects ^[6], Downley House is a new shelter built beside - and out of - the ruins of an old house. Located amidst the rolling hills of South Downs, in England's Hampshire ^[7], the home's other components include natural local materials like oak and stones. Downley House's owners are wine connoisseurs and their love for the grape drink and wine barrels can be clearly recognized in their home's design.

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Set in an idyllic landscape of gorgeous national parks, Downley House was erected using the ruins ^[8] of an old stoned-house. The client wanted a relaxing yet playful environment with good use of natural textures and locally sourced materials. Organic shapes and natural local materials like Purbeck Stone, Wealden Sandstone ^[9] and oak cladding can be enjoyed from the inside and outside of the property.

The internal circulation flows along the walls through the stairs, with a view to the old stony wall that could be enjoyed from the dinning area. The curved barrel vault was made from a low-carbon Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) ^[10], covered with energy-saving insulation and beautiful standing wooden best seen from the inside. Downley House gets its underground heating thanks to a pump located beneath the wild flower meadow ^[11] and green roofs welcome local wildlife while helping it blending with the gorgeous natural surroundings.

+ Birds Portchmouth Russum Architect ^[6]

Via World Architecture News ^[12]

Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com

URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/wine-barrel-inspired-downley-house-in-england-is-built-from-former-houses-ruins/

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[3] Email: mailto:?subject=http://inhabitat.com/wine-barrel-inspired-downley-house-in-england-is-built-from-former-houses-ruins/

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[5]  : http://inhabitat.com/wine-barrel-inspired-downley-house-in-england-is-built-from-former-houses-ruins/russum-architect-old-house-ruins-downley-house-2/?extend=1

[6] Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects: http://www.birdsportchmouthrussum.com/bpr/projects.html

[7] Hampshire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampshire

[8] ruins: http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-underground-museum-hidden-below-buenos-aires-government-house/

[9] Wealden Sandstone: http://www.sandrock.org.uk/Climbingpages/Sandstone/sandstoneindex.htm

[10] Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT): http://www.timber.net.au/index.php/cross-laminated-timber.html

[11] wild flower meadow: http://inhabitat.com/the-muse-bere-architects-paradisiacal-london-home-has-four-roof-gardens-forty-trees-ponds-and-meadows/

[12] World Architecture News: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=19350

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