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These are the secrets to designing a forever home

A fully accessible property in Cambridgeshire is small enough for its retired owners to manage and big enough to accommodate their visitors

In association with
Gables House in Bartlow, Cambridgeshire by CDC Studio. Low lying folding glazed volumes provide a 200 metre square footprint of space.
Gables House in Bartlow, Cambridgeshire by CDC Studio. Low lying folding glazed volumes provide a 200 metre square footprint of space. Credit: Hufton + Crow

Gables House in Bartlow, Cambridgeshire is accessible, sustainable and highly contemporary. It was designed by Chadwick Dryer Clarke (CDC) Studio.

The retired clients wanted it to be not too big for two, but large enough to accommodate family visits and village parties.

CDC Studio replicated a thatched barn and reflected the character of the village in new volumes using zinc to echo the agricultural origins of the land's use and local materials, including flint and red brick.

The kitchen, dining and living spaces are open plan to allow for social gatherings and provide a smooth flow through the home. 

The kitchen sits under a column-free, steel rod hung mezzanine with acoustic damping engineered to avoid reverberating noise. 

Two Glazing Vision electric Visionvents were included to provide continual airflow, a constant temperature and a source of natural daylight into the entertainment area of the home.

A mezzanine space creates a private second sitting area with access via a timber stair concealed between concrete walls. It is quiet yet connected to the main space.

Above, a Glazing Vision Sliding Over Roof rooflight has been installed. The entire section of glazing retracts out on to the roof space, creating open, unimpeded views of the sky. When closed, the window has an almost frameless appearance, maximising light levels.

The extended roofline and orientation of the property provide solar shading to the west. Here, further rooflights prevent overheating in summer.

Water runoff is directed to a salvaged water trough for the garden where water rills extend the linear design of the building out into the wider landscape.

Find more on this case study at glazingvision.co.uk/gables

  • Zinc references the agricultural origins of the land's use.
    Zinc references the agricultural origins of the land's use. Credit: Hufton + Crow
  • The open plan kitchen, living, dining area includes an additional sitting area at mezzanine level.
    The open plan kitchen, living, dining area includes an additional sitting area at mezzanine level. Credit: Hufton + Crow
  • The site is landscaped to lead visitors towards the entrance and the clients' front facing study.
    The site is landscaped to lead visitors towards the entrance and the clients' front facing study. Credit: Hufton + Crow
  • The folding roofline shapes are crafted and lined in silver fir timber and acoustic felt.
    The folding roofline shapes are crafted and lined in silver fir timber and acoustic felt. Credit: Hufton + Crow
  • The thatched barn is wrapped in painted timber boarding and houses the guest rooms.
    The thatched barn is wrapped in painted timber boarding and houses the guest rooms. Credit: Hufton + Crow
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For more information and technical support, visit glazingvision.co.uk

 

Contact:

01379 658309

technicalsales@glazingvision.co.uk


 

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