Located in Coldtown in a beautiful but exposed Northumberland setting - Shawm House(old Northumbrian to ‘warm oneself’) is a fine example of new build residential design, innovation and construction.

The project takes a complex site, challenging brief and budget constraints to produce an elegant, crisp and stimulating building.  Its success is further heightened by the fact that it was built by the client with no previous building experience, for his retired parents. 

Deemed in open countryside by the local planning authority and in the curtilage of a listed building it was granted planning permission due to an ‘exceptionally high quality of design’. The house consists of a timber frame new build which links to a small existing stone stable block.  These elements along with the new timber framed outbuilding are ‘anchored’ to the existing stone wall which acts as a shield to the prevailing winds and an axis between the new builds. 

The design is contextually driven with the barn like form, locally sourced materials and framed views. One is aware of the countryside all around whilst successfully addressing overlooking issues of the clients existing farmhouse. The layout takes precedent from the historic Bastles of the area with the living space on the first floor, though this time it is for spatial quality and views rather than defence.  The house is wrapped in a thick larch ‘blanket’ that seamlessly envelopes the roof and walls, below which is a highly insulated and airtight building. 

Living and working on site the client manufactured the entire supersized timber frame in the old hay shed with a specially designed jig.  Local materials have been used throughout the project. The larch cladding was specifically sourced from the Borders and trees felled from the site itself and have been used throughout the house in the bespoke built-in-furniture, kitchen, tables and stairs.  The stone to the gable end of the house and garage was sourced from Northumberland.   

Using our knowledge in Passivhaus design we have implemented the approach whilst not compromising on the design aesthetic.  Super insulation to both the new and existing elements, triple glazing throughout, and a highly airtight construction which surpass Passivhaus standards coupled with the use of integrated renewable technologies such as PVs and a biomass boiler provide heating and hot water during the summer and winter respectively all reduce heating costs to a minimum.  Rainwater harvesting, attention to accessible design and low maintenance inside and out all contribute to the holistic and sustainable scheme for the ageing owners. 

Great care was taken in the detailing of the all the junctions to avoid thermal bridging; the whole timber frame sits on foam glass blocks, the structure above the huge frameless triple glazed corner glass window is entirely cantilevered in timber.  

Shawm House shows that a house with a conservative budget can be high quality in design and architectural rigour.  Its innovation and refinement is further enhanced by the truly self-build nature of the project.  

The design embraces it surrounds, the clever use of natural light, spatial contrast, materiality and sustainability to produce a delightful house that celebrate sits context and the people who have built it and live in it.