Self-Build

Farm

House

Design Concept and Brief

The clients sought an affordable, energy-efficient family home that prioritised sustainable design principles without compromising on architectural quality or spatial generosity. The brief called for a timber frame construction using environmentally responsible materials, incorporating renewable energy technologies to minimise ongoing energy costs. With five bedrooms arranged over three storeys, the house needed to provide ample family accommodation whilst maintaining exemplary thermal performance and achieving Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 certification.

The site presented both opportunities and challenges. Panoramic countryside views across the Mendip Hills offered exceptional amenity, yet the location outside village development limits required careful justification within the planning process. Neighbouring properties raised concerns about potential overlooking and overshadowing, whilst restricted site access complicated construction logistics. The presence of protected bat species added ecological complexity, requiring sensitive mitigation measures to satisfy Natural England requirements.

Architectural Response

The design embraces sustainable construction from foundation to roofline. The timber frame structure provided rapid construction with minimal site waste, whilst the specification prioritised locally sourced and natural materials that would weather gracefully without demanding ongoing maintenance. Larch cladding from the nearby Stourhead Estate was specified untreated, allowing it to silver naturally and eliminating future preservation treatments such as painting or staining. Traditional clay roof tiles and reclaimed natural stone walling salvaged from site ruins root the building authentically within Somerset’s architectural vernacular.

Environmental performance drives the technical specification. High levels of recycled paper insulation within the timber frame walls and roof achieve exceptional U-values, dramatically reducing heating demand. Photovoltaic solar panels generate renewable electricity, offsetting grid consumption and lowering carbon emissions. The combination of superior fabric performance and renewable technologies delivers remarkably low energy bills – a crucial consideration for self-build clients managing long-term affordability.

Careful massing and window placement address neighbouring concerns whilst maximising solar gain and views. One elevation omits windows entirely, eliminating overlooking whilst creating opportunities for internal planning flexibility. The protected bat species was accommodated through purpose-designed roosting provision within the garage roof, transforming an ecological constraint into a positive contribution to local biodiversity.

Distinctive Features

The architectural highlight centres on the staircase treatment. A dramatic double-height space combines roof glazing with carefully positioned windows to flood the stair, entrance hall and first-floor landing with natural daylight. This vertical lightwell provides sweeping views across the garden and mature trees, creating a memorable spatial experience at the heart of the house. On entering, visitors encounter this light-filled volume – an unexpected generosity that elevates the home beyond typical self-build expectations.

This central circulation space demonstrates how sustainable design need not sacrifice architectural drama. The glazed stairwell maximises passive solar gain during winter months whilst natural ventilation strategies prevent summer overheating. High-performance glazing specifications maintain thermal integrity whilst delivering transparency and connection to landscape.

Planning and Delivery

Securing planning permission required evidence-based justification for development outside settlement boundaries. Historical research revealed ruins indicating that a farmhouse previously occupied the site, establishing precedent for residential development. This archaeological evidence, combined with ecological enhancement through bat roosting provision and demonstrable sustainability credentials, satisfied planning policy requirements.

The self-build approach delivered exceptional value, with total construction costs of £170,000 representing remarkable economy for a five-bedroom family home. This cost-effectiveness resulted from intelligent specification choices, prioritising durable low-maintenance materials and proven construction technologies rather than expensive architectural statements. The project demonstrates that careful design and project management can achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 performance within typical mortgage budgets.

The completed house exemplifies MJW Architects’ expertise in guiding clients through the countryside relocation process. Over many years, the practice has successfully assisted numerous families seeking to escape urban environments, identifying suitable rural sites and securing planning permissions for sustainable new homes that enhance rather than compromise their landscape settings.