Nick Willson Architects organises rural Sussex home around steel-framed cloister

Glazed living areas shaded by a steel-framed cloister overlook a courtyard at Three Oaks Farm, a home in West Sussex designed by London studio Nick Willson Architects.

Located on the site of a disused farm on the outskirts of Ifold, Three Oaks Farm is surrounded by lawns, a wildflower meadow and a small pool, all of which are visible through the full-height glazing.

It was designed by Nick Willson Architects across a single level, ensuring the clients could continue living there comfortably in close connection to the landscape as they get older.

"The house explores what a contemporary courtyard house would be like in a semi-rural setting, one which explores the relationship of nature to building, ecology, sustainability and intergenerational living," said the studio.

"There is an intimate connection to nature between landscaping and the house. Views through the house have been carefully designed to provide a connection to nature, daylight," it added.

"The changing seasons will allow the views and colours through the house to change as the trees shed and forgo their foliage."

The facades of Three Oaks Farm contrast pale brickwork with full-height glazing that brings in light and views. They are topped by a zinc-clad roof with large overhangs, which extend to form a cloister-style space around the central courtyard and out to the gardens.

Living, dining and kitchen areas line the northern side of the courtyard on either side of a smaller herb garden, connected by a glazed link that opens onto the walkways through sliding glass doors.

A row of bedrooms encloses the courtyard's eastern edge, overlooking the wildflower meadow on the opposite side. This is hugged by the main bedroom to the north, alongside a yoga studio.

To the west of Three Oaks Farm, a garage block sits alongside a home office, plant room and utility space, divided into individual blocks that are separated by more small gardens and planters.

In both the bedrooms and living areas, sections of the roof pitch upwards to create double-height spaces with large clerestory windows, the sides of which have been clad externally in zinc shingles.

A monochromatic palette in the interiors contrasts with the more textural brickwork of the exterior, as well as the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Above, a timber-lined ceiling creates a continuity between the courtyard canopy and living areas.

"The key component of Three Oaks Farm was to combine new technology with an element of craft," said the studio.

"The house brings together a rich mixture of crafted elements and landscaping: the textural brick wall, zinc cladding and timber joinery, which are all made by hand, employing specialist tradespeople," it added.

The operation of Three Oaks Farm is designed to be "as off-grid as possible", with photovoltaic panels and battery storage, passive heating and ventilation, rainwater collection and an air-source heat pump.

Previously a director at Willson & Bell, Nick Willson founded his eponymous studio in 2010. Its previous projects include a house in London clad with sections of flint, timber and lead.

The courtyard typology was also recently explored by UK studio Hugh Strange Architects for a rural home in Cornwall, organised around a central garden that draws on a traditional farmstead.

The photography is by Gareth Gardner.

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