Pennard House

Category Built Environment Design
Client Private Residential Client
Agency / Designer Hyde + Hyde Architects

Brief

The clients desired a house to capture Gower sunsets, Hyde + Hyde responded with a form that metaphorically embraces this connection with its courtyard ‘arms’ outstretched. This courtyard becomes the stage for our clients’ everyday use, living spaces positioned at the heart of the house, whilst the bedroom wing acts as a barrier to the road. The design evolved through an understanding of the phenomenology of place and client’s individual lifestyle, marrying daily routines & social interaction.

Result

The completed project was shortlisted for RIBA regional design awards 2010 and has just been awarded the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Plaque of Merit 2010. Client Quote; "If you want to create a low-carbon contemporary home in an area of outstanding natural beauty, you need an architect who understands its surroundings and interprets the owners' lifestyle to deliver a unique structure that will compliment Gower and set a benchmark for generations”.

Solution

Architecturally the building harnesses the sometimes opposing demands of its site, the brief and a contextually developed palette of materials. Culminating in a piece that is both exciting and original, though perhaps unexpectedly calm and at ease with its setting. The client’s have joined Hyde + Hyde Architects in pursuing a rigour in both the honesty to the concept and material choice by maintaining a discipline of adhering to the original design intent.