reklam

Yarışma Özeti(Summary):
Submissions are invited for the design of a country house to be built in a Gloucestershire valley from anyone who has an interest in continuing and contributing to the greatly admired tradition of the English Country House. The promoters are Mr and Mrs David Cardale ('The Cardales') who have a family with three young children. They have spent many years looking for a suitable site and it is intended that, if the proposed scheme is successful, the house, once built, will become their family home.

Tip (Type):

Kimler katılabilir (Open to):
The competition is open to registered architects and/or practices. In addition entries are welcomed from students of architecture, and from design professionals from related disciplines

Katılım ücreti (Entry Fee):
Before sending in a design entry, competitors must obtain from the RIBA Competitions Office, an 'Entry Form'. This is available from the RIBA Competitions Office, on receipt of a cheque for £5.00 (including VAT).

A hard copy of all the material contained in this web site is available from the RIBA Competitions Office, on receipt of a cheque for £35.00 (professionals) or £7.50 (students). This payment also covers entry fee, and entrants will receive the 'Entry Form' with the printed brief.

Ödüller (Awards):
The winning entry will receive a cash prize of £5,000 (advance on fees). Two runners-up will receive cash prizes of £2,500 and £1,250 respectively.

At the discretion of the assessors the prize fund may be aggregated and divided among a different number of competitors, but an order of merit will be indicated.

Juri (Jury):
William Bertram RIBA, Bertram of Bath, formerly Trustee of Bath Preservation Trust

Gerald Cadogan, MA, FSA, Property Correspondent for the Financial Times

Michael Hill, BA DipArch RIBA IHBC, Architectural historian, Author, freelance conservation consultant, formerly Conservation Architect at Cotswold District Council

Tim Mowl, MA DPhil FSA, Lecturer Bristol University, Author and freelance consultant on architectural matters, formerly Architectural Advisor to the Bath Preservation Trust

Peter Yiangou RIBA, Peter Yiangou Associates

In addition, Fionna Cardale, (co-promoter, housewife and mother) will be a member of the panel.

İletişim Bilgileri (Contact): 
RIBA Competitions Office
6 Melbourne Street
LEEDS LS2 7PS
Tel: 0113 2341335
Fax: 0113 2460744
e-mail: [email protected]

Website:  http://www.countryhouse.co.uk/

The purpose of the competition is to demonstrate that a country house of the very highest quality together with its landscaping, can be built in a truly exceptional setting and both enhance its surroundings and contribute to the nation's architectural heritage. The scheme is to include some landscaping of the parkland and gardens around the house.

Objectives

Applicants are asked to submit a scheme for a new country house of the very highest architectural quality to be built on an 80-acre site in a valley which lies within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The proposal should comply with the requirements of Para 3.2.1 of Planning Policy Guidance note 7: The Countryside - Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development ('PPG 7') which states:

"New house building and other new development in the open countryside, away from established settlements or from areas allocated for development in development plans, should be strictly controlled. The fact that a single house on a particular site would be unobtrusive is not by itself a good argument; it could be repeated too often. Isolated new houses in the countryside require special justification - for example, where they are essential to enable farm or forestry workers to live at or near their place of work. Advice on the special considerations which may arise in relation to agricultural and forestry dwellings is given in Annex I. An isolated new house in the countryside may also exceptionally be justified if it is clearly of the highest quality, is truly outstanding in terms of its architecture and landscape design, and would significantly enhance its immediate setting and wider surroundings. Proposals for such development would need to demonstrate that proper account had been taken of the defining characteristics of the local area, including local or regional building traditions and materials. This means that each generation would have the opportunity to add to the tradition of the Country House which has done so much to enhance the English countryside. Sensitive infilling of small gaps within small groups of houses or minor extensions to groups may also be acceptable though much would depend on the character of the surroundings and the number of such groups in the area…"

In summary the justification for the exception to normal planning policy as set out in PPG7 requires that any proposed development must:-

be clearly of the highest quality

be truly outstanding in terms of its architecture and landscape design

significantly enhance its immediate setting and wider surroundings

be capable of demonstrating that proper account has been taken of the defining characteristics of the local area, including both local or regional building traditions and materials
In addition the Cardales require that the development must:

be energy efficient and sustainable

take proper account of the needs of the elderly and the disabled

meet the Cardales requirements for a family home (as set out below)

The site

General location (see Annexe 1)
The site extends to 80 acres and is comprised of pasture and woods. It enjoys an elevated position on the south facing slopes of a valley in the Cotswolds, with fine and far-reaching views to the south, east and west. A small wood runs through the northern half of the site with arable fields beyond. There are a number of natural springs on the site.

Proposed location of house (see Annexe 2)
The preferred construction plot is located in the middle of the site below the wood, facing south, having open southerly and easterly views down the valley, and sheltered to the north by Conygre Wood. The land to the west of the plot slopes gently uphill and is presently without parkland planting. A detailed levels survey is included as Annexe 3. Access to the plot is either from the East using a longstanding track to the South of the wood or from the North following the bridlepath and dropping down through the wood.

The Concept

It is intended that the plot will be developed to provide a country house together with ancillary buildings, park and gardens (in the style of a rectory or small manor house in the classical style), sympathetic to the local vernacular, as a home for the Cardales. The new house should be constructed using traditional materials, conforming to the objectives stated above, whilst also reflecting the fundamental changes in lifestyle which have occurred in recent years. The servicing of the building should involve best modern technology utilising the best available techniques not employing excessive cost. In particular it must:-

maximise the use of natural light through conservatories, atrium/roof lanterns etc

contain at its core a space or series of interconnecting spaces in which the family and their guests can cook, eat, relax, entertain, play games and watch television

make provision for working at home

provide flexible guest and staff accommodation

relate to its immediate surroundings. In particular, the curtilage will need careful consideration and applicants will need to set out clearly how the curtilage will be defined

The preferred development plot has been chosen after careful consideration by the Cardales, in consultation with the Local Planning Authority, based on the desire to optimise the views from the proposed house and to capitalise upon the microclimate of the site. Applicants do however have the freedom to vary the position /aspect of the house so as to ameliorate these aspects.


Specific requirements

The specification given below is for guidance purposes only and to act as an aide memoire for applicants. Alternative interpretations which meet the broad specification will be welcomed.

General
The Cardales have three young children of school age, various pets and a large extended family. The accommodation which, including ancillary buildings but excluding the stable block, is expected to have an internal floor area of approximated 800 sq meters, needs to provide:

flexibility for the changing needs of the family over the coming years as the children grow up and need greater privacy and independence from their parents!

accommodation for up to 8 guests (including children) in comfort, but not all integral with the main house

consideration of the needs of the elderly and disabled (all principal rooms should be capable of wheelchair access, and provision made for a lift shaft in the design)
The design must be capable of being built using tried and tested building methods and materials. As a traditional building it should be faced in render, or stone and render, with stone or slate roof tiles, and have large windows. No cost of construction budget has been set. High credit will, however, be given for achieving excellent design consistent with conserving resources and achieving reasonable cost of construction.

The design of the house, ancillary buildings and setting should be fully integrated, including existing and proposed landscape planting, proposed location of croquet lawn and all weather tennis court, and including the best outward views from the house. Definition of the curtilage and the way in which it is handled in design terms is of critical importance.

Living space
The front door should open into a small lobby or vestibule before opening out into the main entrance hall area. The main hall needs to accommodate an attractive staircase and provide flexibility for use as an additional area for entertaining overflow, with an open fireplace or wood burning stove. Coats/hats room with wc should be adjacent to the hall

A large drawing room of elegant proportions should be adjoining and interconnecting to a less formal smaller sitting room/library so that both rooms can be opened up and circulate back to the front hall for entertaining purposes. These rooms should face south and west, the drawing room being predominantly west. Open fireplaces should be provided for in both rooms and consideration given to providing bookshelves in the library and display shelving in the drawing room.

The kitchen will be the heart of the house, and should be very large and face south and east. It will need to include family living and dining areas, with walk in larder and extensive china cupboard. It is envisaged that the 'working kitchen' area of the room will be relatively small and discrete (a "galley" kitchen) and an orangery or conservatory on the eastern side would be welcome to maximise natural light and the views from the room. The kitchen will need to accommodate an aga as well as a wood burning stove or open fire.

The back hall should adjoin the kitchen (with back door to outside car parking area) with separate (large) boots room and cloakroom (including wc) with plenty of storage and hanging space.

The formal dining room should be capable of seating 16. This will not be much used

An office/study capable of being fully equipped with two desks pcs and all modern office paraphernalia.

Bedrooms
The master bedroom should be a large bright room facing south and east, capable of accommodating sofa, tv etc. Adjoining the bedroom should be a man's dressing room complete with fitted cupboards, with shower-room and wc off it. There should be a separate master bathroom adjoining the bedroom with bath, twin basins, bidet, shower and separate wc. A large walk in closet should be included for ladies' clothes

The three children's bedrooms should each be large enough to accommodate two single beds, with both study- and play-space and good storage facilities. Adjoining the childrens' bedrooms should be a shower room with wc, and a large children's bathroom with bath, shower, wc and twin hand basins.

A further two bedrooms with bathrooms ensuite should be included, not necessarily in the main house, one a good-sized double bedroom (king sized bed) the other a smaller large single or small double (Queen size bed). Further guest and staff accommodation should be provided in an annexe over the barn / stables (see below).

All Bathrooms should have external windows.

Provision should be made for a large airy laundry/ironing/sewing room at bedroom floor level with sinks, 2 washers and 2 dryers and substantial airing cupboard and storage space. The room should be capable of use even with the ironing board up all the time!

Landing/corridor areas should be kept to a minimum, but where necessary, the width of such should be capable of both accommodating furniture and allowing free passage of a wheelchair

Recreational and other facilities
Indoor swimming pool with plant room and shower/wc, wine cellar and general storage underneath main house (note levels survey).

A separate 'barn' with large open area for party entertaining, capable of accommodating a pool table and table tennis table with a sitting area, and with a small galley kitchen. This area should have good storage facilities. A cloakroom with wc off should be included at ground floor level. Further guest accommodation should be incorporated above of two double bedrooms with ensuite facilities, and a further single bedroom to connect to one of the ensuite bathrooms. Barn should open out to garden area for barbecues etc and link to the main house with through access.

A range of outbuildings (to store garden equipment, garden furniture, bicycle shed, tractor store and workshop), and to include garaging for four cars. The garages should be capable of being accessed under cover from the house. Staff accommodation should be provided over garages. Consideration needs to be given to providing adequate and discreet guest parking space so as not to detract in any way from the buildings or gardens.

Outdoor all weather tennis court.

Stable block with eight loose boxes, feedstore and tack room, to be located away from the house (exact location to be determined), with easy access to the road. Groom's flat to be provided above feedstore and tackroom.

Gardens/landscaping
Any scheme will need to blend seamlessly with the natural contours and beauty of the landscape.

Careful consideration must be given to the overriding objectives set out by PPG 7. Applicants must describe the anticipated relationship of the building with its immediate setting, and the manner in which items such as terracing adjacent to the house with sheltered eating/sitting areas, a croquet lawn and a tennis court can be accommodated. Applicants are required to define clearly the curtilage of the dwellings and to describe how this will be handled in landscape/architectural terms. The Cardales intend to appoint an appropriately qualified landscape architect to work with the winner to work up the external design proposals in greater detail prior to the submission of the Planning Application.

Particular consideration should be given to the approach to the house and the driveway, having regard to any potential impact upon the landscape, and upon the views of the landscape both from the house and from the opposite side of the valley. All car parking should be on north side of house. As far as possible applicants should work with the contours of the landscape to conceal the drive, and the applicants' submission should describe the qualities pertaining to their design of the landscaping.

Submission Instructions

Drawings will be submitted on three A1 lightweight foam boards. Competitors may illustrate their designs as they wish but drawings must include:

floor plans to scale of 1:100

elevations, sections (and, if wished, perspectives) at a scale of the competitors choosing

one A1 board should be dedicated to illustrating the principles relating to the site plan, setting, curtilage and landscaping
The description of the building should give an indication of sorts of construction and materials envisaged

Submissions should be accompanied by a written report (max.3xA4 single sided pages) describing the competitors approach to the design and, in particular describing:

how the applicant's design builds upon the tradition of the English Country House in its widest sense (philosophically, culturally architecturally and technologically) and the extent to which the design takes account of local or regional building traditions and materials

the way in which the competitor has sought to enhance the immediate setting and wider surroundings of the house
The written report must be in plain English and any word not in common use among non-architects should be defined in a glossary. Models will not be accepted. Photographs of working models may be incorporated in the description or on the prescribed drawings. Credit will be given where a basic cost estimate is optionally provided within the report.

Panel of judges

The panel comprises a group of highly respected individuals, each pre-eminent in their field, and are listed below:-

William Bertram RIBA, Bertram of Bath, formerly Trustee of Bath Preservation Trust

Gerald Cadogan, MA, FSA, Property Correspondent for the Financial Times

Michael Hill, BA DipArch RIBA IHBC, Architectural historian, Author, freelance conservation consultant, formerly Conservation Architect at Cotswold District Council

Tim Mowl, MA DPhil FSA, Lecturer Bristol University, Author and freelance consultant on architectural matters, formerly Architectural Advisor to the Bath Preservation Trust

Peter Yiangou RIBA, Peter Yiangou Associates

In addition, Fionna Cardale, (co-promoter, housewife and mother) will be a member of the panel.

Schedule of Annexes

Annexe 1 Aerial view of site location

Annexe 2 (a) Aerial view of proposed location of development plot
(b) Ground level views showing proposed development plot and aspects from plot

Annexe 3 Levels survey of development plot

Annexe 4 Site plans

Annexe 5 Photographic examples of styles of vernacular architecture and building materials