Project description

Studioshaw were invited to look at redevelopment options for a site opposite Wentworth golf course in Virginia Water, Surrey. We immediately fell in love with the site, a sloping landscape surrounded on all sides by large Oak and Sweet Chestnut trees. Our proposal for a cluster of 5 ‘downsizer’ homes takes it form from the existing tree protection zones, ensuring no trees would have to be removed as part of the build. The homes are set into the sloped landscape so as to reduce their visual impact and are orientated to maximise sunlight.

Access to each house is via a central paved mews, with all homes looking out onto a beautiful mature woodland landscape. The ‘mews’ is a shared amenity space that encourages interaction with neighbours. Each home has a private amenity space, with privacy created by the staggered building form. The flat roofs become terraces giving outdoor space overlooking the trees canopy.

This is a housing typology that we find endlessly fascinating and some of the ideas developed here have been further explored in our community housing scheme in Somerset.