The house sits within a Conservation Area on the east shore of the River Severn, just south of the Bevere Weir outside Worcester and replaces a derelict a two-storey early 19th century cottage. It is located in a 3b Flood Zone and the site flooded most recently in January 2020 during installation of the piled foundations.
To deal with the flood risk, the proposed house is elevated on slender columns. The house is divided into two volumes – a single level wing to the south containing living spaces, and a two-storey volume containing bedrooms that twists to address the nearby weir. A central junction accessed by a staircase provides the entrance lobby.
Ridley House
Our design sought to create a contemporary house designed to sit well in its context.
The central entrance hall opens into an open plan living space that is fully glazed to the river, fronted by a terrace and overhanging roof that culminates in a large outdoor space to the southern end.
The cubic volume contains three bedrooms and a study.
The house is clad in a combination of vertically and horizontally boarded sweet chestnut cladding treated with a clear wood stain that whitens as it ages to achieve a low-maintenance, uniformly light appearance. The chimney and service piers are to be built using a high-quality facing brick in a grey/buff colour, anchoring the house to the site. Windows are in satin ppc aluminium in a bronze-grey colour.
Rooftop photovotaic panels provide power to a Ground Source Heat Pump.
Client | Private clients |
Status | Construction |
Contract value | £ undisclosed |
GIA m2 | 232 m2 |
Structural engineer | Momentum Engineering |
Landscape architect | BD Landscape Architects |
Ecology | Elizabeh McKay |
M&E consultant | NuPlanet |
Hydrologist | Geosmart |
Arboriculturalist | Adrian Hope Tree Services |
Sustainability Consultant | Darren Evans |
Project Team | Chris Terry |
Photography | © nu.ma |