House 19
Archetech - Page 12
Jestico + Whiles
Located at the end of a lane that runs
north from the High Street in the
conservation area of Old Amersham,
House 19 fuses traditional forms and local
materials in an elegant and modern way
to make full use of the natural aspect and
orientation of the site.
House 19 is an exemplar of harmonious
and sustainable contemporary design in
the context of an ancient historic town.
The development of a simple plan and
section delivered a house of exceptional
quality whilst at the same time bringing
together the most comprehensive range
of passive and active energy-saving
features in a well-considered, thoughtful
assembly of light-filled spaces, suited to
21st century living.
Windows are carefully positioned to
frame views to the Old Town and provide
more expansive views to the south. The
result is a tranquil and calm internal
atmosphere that changes throughout the
day and the seasons of the year.
The house captures stunning and longranging views over the surrounding
Chiltern Hills from all the upper rooms
and circulation spaces and modulates
daylight and sunlight in the internal areas
to dramatic effect.
In terms of materials the house is firmly
rooted in the history of the area through
the use of delicately dark stained vertical
board cedar cladding, snapped-andknapped luminescent flint (used for
cladding and to create external walls),
dark zinc roofing and accents of carefully
placed corten steel.