Fairoak Farm
A modern farmhouse that belongs
Situated north of Cardiff, the architectural concept of this £3.5m private house was to sit “within” rather “on” the site. Through a detailed site analysis and interrogation of the brief, it was agreed that the design should be organised around two main axis connected by key landscape features.
Mann Williams’ contribution, from concept design to practical completion, was the design of structural solutions which successfully integrated the existing farmhouse with the contemporary additions, facilitating demanding modernist architectural objectives.
Project Lead
Project Team
- Location Cardiff
- Client Private
- Completion 2008
- Value £3.5m
Constructed across two axis
The first axis runs from SW to NE through the bronze entrance doors, connecting the two bodies of water: a pond and horizon-level swimming pool. The second axis is defined by the principal circulation spine of the dwelling. It runs directly from the boundary of the west field, through the house, and brings you to the tennis court and landscaped path beyond.
Flooded with light
The bronze backed entrance door leads into a two storey atrium hallway with glazed roof, flooding light throughout the entire ground floor. The living space includes a ceiling suspended real fire and full height corner glazed doors looking out over the front garden and Fountain Lake.
Part of the landscape
The challenging structural objectives, incorporating significant buried structures, were driven by a desire to keep the massing of the building low to ensure the built form respected the sensitive rural setting.
