An ecologically-responsible house by Catja de Haas Architects forms a close connection with its coastal site

Buildings.

Photos
Tom Rothery

Designed by Catja de Haas Architects in association with Takero Shimazaki Architects, Burwood is a sustainable four-bedroom house that explores ideas of flexibility, inclusivity and scale. Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty close to the sea, it comprises two oak-clad volumes – that are intended to complement the plot’s existing Oak trees – linked by a large glass-enclosed lounge with a grass roof.

Buildings.

“The orientation of the two wings, together with the rising grass roof, gives the lounge a layered quality, which can be experienced both as a single volume, and as a series of more intimate spaces and corners”, says the architect. Pull-out storage boxes on wheels provide seating for up to 24 people in the main living space. The first floor living room ‘floats’ above a semi open-plan kitchen below. Stairs lead to a balcony linking the two volumes. An upstairs living area with views out to sea doubles up as an overflow bedroom.

Ground and first-floor plans; sections

The house is primarily constructed from CLT, which is left exposed internally. White-painted plastered walls contrast with oak floors and doors. Tiled floors run from inside to outside on the ground floor, bluring the distinction between house and garden. Two external furniture pieces, which can be used as chairs and are covered with recycled bottle glass, are designed to visually connect the garden and lounge.

Buildings.

Sustainability is central to the project. High levels of insulation and airtightness are combined with Passivhaus detailing. Glazing orientation and roof overhangs control solar gain.  A large roof-mounted photovoltaic array provides renewable energy. Heat recovery from waste air is used to preheat incoming air during the winter. High- and low-level windows, as well as the central ‘atrium’, promote stack ventilation during the summer. An air source heat pump provides heating and hot water generation.

Additional Images

Credits

Architect
Catja de Haas Architects with support from Takero Shimazaki Architects
Structural engineer
Foster Structures
Services engineer
Jared Engineering
Contractor
Lockside

CLT
Eurban
Windows
Panoramah