Wyvern House

Loughton, Essex

Bold Form & Materiality

Set on the tennis court of the owner’s former Grade II Listed home, and in the root protection zone of an 800 year old Oak tree, meant that this was not a straightforward design or road to planning approval. It is certainly one of our most visionary projects.

Overview

Through careful discussions with our clients, the brief was devised to create a contemporary home which would be strikingly different, and it needed to be to gain any support from the conservation team.

The project was complex and challenging and required us to make big design changes even after we got consent at Planning Committee. The original plan to use stone cladding fell down when we couldn't find a big contractor who would handle a residential build (stone is normally on commercial sized buildings). Taking inspiration from the setting on the edge of Epping Forest, we conceived a bespoke, never before undertaken, charred timber cladding which was welcomed by the Conservation Officer.

Our expertise in materiality developed the concept, the selection of a zinc clad core is a key component in the building’s striking and unusual shape, creating a prominent link between the two wings of the property. It houses the magnificent circular staircase, which sweeps over 3 floors and is beautifully wrapped in vertical timber.

Every feature has been created to take advantage of the property’s environment. Our clever design has smaller openings on to the road side to ensure privacy. Whilst facing the garden, the house seamlessly links indoors and out through the spectacular swathe of glass.

Ultimately we have produced an iconic property of architectural significance in Loughton and are incredible proud to have our name attached to it. We hope, like our clients that it could one day be listed itself for architectural merit.

Wyvern House will flourish alongside its 130-year-old listed neighbour, with both properties demonstrating the best of architectural design during the period in which they were built.

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Bespoke designed charred timber cladding
Oversized glazed panels open out from the kitchen/dining/snug
The rockery is built around the base of the Wellingtonia with the old tennis court wall left in situ
The house floats above the roots of the trees - not that any one will know!
Boundary set out by us to include the Veteran Oak but ensure the 'Dragon Gate' still belonged to Dragons, the clients former home

“One thing that really impressed me about Melanie was that she really works with you. We were thinking of the house in terms of the accommodation – practical things such as how we wanted lots of light, an open feel on the ground floor, and a bedroom with a big dressing room and a bathroom – she is the one who could bring it all together. It is certainly a very different property. When we saw it, we said, aha, this is it!” Clare Jaycock, Client

"In terms of the local area, we hope that Wyvern House gives people the confidence to really embrace modern architecture and push for what can be achieved in leafy suburbs like Loughton. After all, we deserve signature buildings with architectural integrity just as much as inner cities." Melanie Clear, London Architect

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